Great British Nuclear buys Wylfa and Oldbury sites

The UK Government has announced that Great British Nuclear (GBN) will buy the Wylfa and Oldbury sites for new nuclear projects in a £160m deal with current owners Hitachi.

The announcements, made in the Chancellor's budget, also include the launch of the next phase of GBN's Small Modular Reactor technology selection process. 

The six eligible companies will now be able to access tender documentation, allowing them to bid for potentially multi-billion-pound technology development contracts. 

Jasbir Sidhu, NI Policy Committee member, Trustee,and former President commented:

"This is fantastic news for our nuclear industry and the nation. Getting two of our key gigawatt nuclear sites back into play is great news for our Net Zero Needs Nuclear journey. Let’s get our spades out and dig for our Net Zero nuclear future".

Nuclear site acquisitions 

• Great British Nuclear (GBN) will buy sites at Wylfa and Oldbury for new nuclear development. 
• Access to nuclear sites is a critical factor in achieving our nuclear ambitions that were set out earlier this year in the Civil Nuclear Roadmap, such as deploying Small Modular Reactors and exploring a further large-scale reactor project. 
• Decisions on the projects to be deployed at sites will be made as site characterisation work develops and technology choices are made. 
• GBN looks forward to working closely with the local communities and local representatives at both Wylfa and Oldbury.
• GBN is continuing to work with Government to support access to other potential sites for new nuclear projects to achieve its long-term nuclear programme ambitions. 

SMR technology selection process 

• GBN is launching the next phase of Great British Nuclear’s Small Modular Reactor technology selection process. 
• The six eligible companies will now be able to access tender documentation, allowing them to bid for potentially multi-billion-pound technology development contracts. 

Full Story: Great British Nuclear buys Wylfa and Oldbury sites (nuclearinst.com)