UK Government and Hitachi should capitalise on fertile territory for energy project after suspension of Wylfa Newydd

3 May 2019 03:43 PM

In a report published recently (03 May 2019), the Welsh Affairs Committee urges the UK Government and Hitachi to capitalise on the geological benefits of the site at Wylfa Newydd, and the skills of people working in the area, by considering a range of possible future energy projects.

Purpose of the inquiry

In January 2019, work was suspended on the development of the Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station at Anglesey. The Welsh Affairs Committee conducted an inquiry into the implications of this suspension for the surrounding economy and for the UK’s nuclear capabilities. 

In the final report, the Committee calls on the UK Government and Hitachi – the Japanese company responsible for the development – to capitalise on the site’s distinct geological benefits and the skills of people working in the area by exploring new financing models that might help get work back underway.

It also calls on the UK and Welsh Governments to consider a range of possible future sustainable energy projects in North West Wales.

The report also recommends

Chair's comments

Commenting on the report, Chair of the Committee David T.C. Davies MP recently said:

“The development of the Wylfa Newydd site was vitally important to Anglesey and the whole of North West Wales, and the announcement that works would be suspended was a blow to local communities and the local economy.

My Committee heard that the ideal geographic conditions and abundance of skilled workers makes the Wylfa Newydd site fertile territory for nuclear development, while the wider area is ideal for a range of low carbon projects.

Our report calls for the Government to capitalise on these benefits by ensuring that a range of possible energy projects can be developed on the site.”

Key conclusions and recommendations

Resuming works at Wylfa Newydd

Throughout the inquiry, the Committee consistently heard that the site at Wylfa Newydd has distinct geological advantages that make it ideal for nuclear development. One witness even said that the site was understood to be “one of the best sites in west Europe, if not in the whole of Europe, for building nuclear power stations.” The Director of Nuclear Operations at Horizon – the subsidiary of Hitachi responsible for the redevelopment of the site next to the old Wylfa nuclear power station – also shared the view that the site had unique advantages.

Providing high value jobs

While Horizon has committed to supporting the 33 apprentices taken on to work at Wylfa Newydd, the Committee is concerned that their skills will be lost to North Wales if job opportunities in the energy sector are not available in the area.

Supporting the local economy

The Committee expresses serious concern about the effect of the suspension of Wylfa Newydd for the surrounding economy. The Wylfa Newydd development was expected to create 850 jobs onsite, as well as an estimated 8,000 jobs throughout the construction phase.

Ken Skates AM, Minister for the Economy and Transport in the Welsh Government told the Committee the halt of works at Wylfa Newydd would be a ‘major blow’ for the surrounding economy if it would be permanent.

The Committee also notes that Wylfa Newydd was a key plank of the proposal for a North Wales Growth deal. The Committee stresses that, if works cannot be resumed, other proposals to boost the surrounding economy must be brought forward and accelerated as soon as possible.

Further information