Tue, 30 Dec 2025

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 A decade on from Wales' nuclear turbines falling silent

Locals say job losses, stagnant investment and a recovering economy have defined the past decade.

* Wylfa nuclear power station closed its reactors exactly 10 years ago, marking the end of nuclear energy production in Wales.
* The closure had a significant impact on Anglesey's economy, leading to job losses and stagnant investment.
* Gron Williams, who spent his entire working life at Wylfa, remembered the excitement of building the plant as a teenager and the positive impact it had on the island.
* Despite extensions to its lifespan, the plant was eventually shut down due to age and safety concerns.
* The site is now in decommissioning phase, with around 200 people employed by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) and 60 others working for contracting organizations.
* The UK government has announced plans to build three small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Wylfa site, which are expected to be operational by the mid-2030s.
* However, there is skepticism among locals and campaigners about the proposal, with some arguing that investment should focus on renewable energy technologies such as tidal power.
* Local councillor Aled Morris Jones believes the SMR proposal is the best economic hope for the area, but acknowledges that more detail is needed to reassure the community.
* The legacy of Wylfa remains contested, with some seeing it as a symbol of economic growth and others as a reminder of the negative impacts of nuclear power.
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