A US-based start-up is set to initiate plans for a £300 million micro nuclear facility on the grounds of a former coal-fired power station in South Wales.
Last Energy, an innovative American company specializing in micro-modular nuclear energy, has submitted a request for planning approval for four micro-module units in Bridgend County, located in southeast Wales.
The firm aims to complete development of its first plant by 2027, which is intended to supply energy to industries throughout the region.
According to the company, the project will not need public funding and is projected to contribute £30 million to the local economy, creating a minimum of 100 permanent jobs in the area.
The location previously accommodated Llynfi power station, which was operational from 1951 until its closure in 1977, and is currently unused. Last Energy anticipates that the new plant could generate sufficient energy to supply about 244,000 homes annually, although its main focus will be on industrial clients rather than residential ones.
Referred to by Last Energy as the PWR-20, the plant consists of several modules that can purportedly be assembled akin to a Lego set within a two-year timeframe.
Last Energy has already secured commercial agreements for 80 units across Europe. Developers believe that smaller nuclear initiatives will be significantly easier to develop compared to larger-scale projects, which have often been hampered by planning controversies and difficulties in securing the necessary investment.
Michael Jenner, the chief executive of Last Energy UK, expressed that this project will not only repurpose a disused coal facility into a center for clean energy but also provide economic opportunities for businesses throughout South Wales.
He emphasized, “The advantages of nuclear energy are clear, thus our emphasis must be on realizing these benefits within the stipulated timeline and budget.”
Lord Hunt, the minister for energy security and net zero, remarked, “This initiative represents groundbreaking advancements in nuclear technology and could play a pivotal role in decarbonizing the industrial sector by delivering low-carbon heat and power.”
He noted that this announcement follows the UK’s investment summit, highlighting a shift away from a history of stagnation in nuclear power development and reinforcing the long-term security of the sector while generating thousands of skilled employment opportunities.