​Council reiterates commitment to new nuclear

The Isle of Anglesey County Council has reiterated its full commitment to new nuclear power energy generation at Wylfa. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Authority has just submitted its written evidence ahead of the Welsh Affairs Committee’s inquiry into the future of nuclear power in Wales, which began today (Monday, March 7th). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Welsh Affairs Committee, made up of 11 MPs, is one of the departmental Select Committees of the House of Commons. Its terms of reference are to examine matters within the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Wales (including relations with the National Assembly for Wales). The Committee examines policies of the UK Government which have an impact in Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The inquiry into the future of nuclear power in Wales will give the County Council an opportunity to highlight concerns, challenges and aspirations linked to Horizon Nuclear Power’s Wylfa Newydd project on behalf of Island residents. Its main aim is to minimise adverse impacts and ensure that the proposed Wylfa Newydd project improves the quality of life for residents and future generations. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Committee is examining the construction of Wylfa Newydd, the economic and environmental impact of Wylfa Newydd, the decommissioning of existing nuclear power stations in Wales, the introduction of small modular reactors in Wales, and how the Welsh Government and UK Government are working together on policy in this area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Referring to the County Council’s written submission, Chief Executive, Dr Gwynne Jones, said, “The County Council, through its Energy Island Programme, remains fully committed to the principle of new nuclear power energy generation at Wylfa. We remain supportive and pro-active in our approach to seeing the proposed nuclear new build development at Wylfa become a reality.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In its written evidence, Anglesey also highlights that the impacts of temporary construction workers on communities are a concern and need to be mitigated with collaboration between the County Council and Horizon Nuclear Power on the appropriate approach to provision and legacy benefits. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Council Leader and Economic portfolio holder, Councillor Ieuan Williams, said, “We have firm expectations that new nuclear build will provide lasting employment and improve the quality of life, wellbeing and Welsh language benefits for the people and communities of Anglesey and beyond.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The support of Anglesey, as the host community, is not however unconditional. It is dependent upon collaboration and recognition that significant lasting benefits are created and adverse impacts mitigated.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He added, “The UK Government has a vital role in mitigating local impacts and ensuring local people and the local host community benefit, and I therefore welcome the Welsh Affairs Committee inquiry.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​