Trawsfynydd: Boris Johnson 'looks to build' nuclear reactor

Boris Johnson has said he is "looking to build" a small nuclear reactor at Trawsfynydd in north Wales.

The prime minister's comments came as UK and Welsh government bodies move ahead to develop plans for the site.

His government has already promised to back a new nuclear power station at Wylfa on Anglesey

The PM spoke to the Welsh Conservative conference in Powys, although his comments are not a government guarantee that the modular reactor will be built.

Mr Johnson told party delegates in Newtown: "Wales will be at the heart of our mission now to fix the underlying issues in our energy market."

"Today I can tell you that we're looking to build another small modular reactor on the site at Trawsfynydd."

• Nuclear project will see first UK reactors removed

• Rolls-Royce plans mini nuclear reactors by 2029

• Johnson backs more UK nuclear and offshore power

Trawsfynydd's existing power station was shut down in 1991, and is in the long process of being decommissioned.

The nuclear power station at Trawsfynydd was shut down in 1991

'Clean, affordable, homegrown energy'

The UK government announced on Friday that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Welsh government-owned Cwmni Egino will work together on proposals for the siting of a new nuclear development at the site in Gwynedd.

Cwmni Egino was set up to drive future development at the site. It is expected to confirm its plans within 2022.

UK Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "Our ambition for a British nuclear renaissance means a bright future for nuclear power in Wales, not only securing clean, affordable, homegrown energy but also jobs and investment at sites like Trawsfynydd.

"We remain on track to realise our plan to approve eight new nuclear reactors by 2030, transforming the UK's energy network and revitalizing decommissioned nuclear sites."

Welsh Labour Economy Minister Vaughan Gething welcomed the latest development.

He said: "The Welsh government established Cwmni Egino to ensure that the full potential of the Trawsfynydd site could be realised, helping to boost the economy of the wider area.

"I'm pleased to see this further development with the cooperation with the NDA, which is good news for the site."

A 'foolish policy'?

However anti-nuclear campaigners have criticised Mr Johnson's comments.

Dylan Morgan, spokesperson for People against Wylfa-B (Pawb) said any new reactors would be a burden on taxpayers and that any new plant would take at least ten years to be up and running.

He added: "The billions that have been squandered on this foolish policy could have been invested in cheaper, cleaner renewable technologies that would have been operational much quicker and would seriously address the challenges of global warming by reducing carbon emissions to the environment.

"Nuclear power can contribute nothing to reducing the effects of climate change given that international experts say major changes in carbon emissions must take place within the next decade. A newly commissioned nuclear reactor would not be up and running for at least a decade."