Wylfa Nuclear Site on Anglesey Secures Major £25 Million Contract for Environmental Preparations
A significant £25 million contract has been officially awarded to initiate crucial environmental and permitting works for the new nuclear power plant planned at the Wylfa site on Anglesey. Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) has appointed the specialist consultancies WSP and Mott MacDonald to deliver comprehensive environmental services and permitting activities specifically for the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme at this location.
This contract award represents another vital milestone in advancing new nuclear development on Anglesey, following years of uncertainty after the collapse of previous large-scale nuclear plant proposals. The work will play an essential role in ensuring the project meets all required environmental standards as plans progress for the UK's first fleet of Small Modular Reactors.
Comprehensive Environmental Assessment Programme
The appointment will support an extensive programme of environmental assessments, regulatory engagement, and permitting activities. These steps are fundamental in preparing the Wylfa site for eventual construction and securing necessary planning permissions. The UK Government selected Wylfa as the lead site for the SMR fleet last November, bringing renewed momentum to nuclear development on the island.
Kenny Douglas, DevCo development director at GBE-N, emphasized the importance of this phase: "Ensuring that the Wylfa project progresses on a strong environmental and regulatory foundation is essential. This work is a major step forward in understanding the site, protecting the local environment and ensuring that our project is delivered responsibly and transparently."
Expert Consultancies Bring Extensive Nuclear Experience
Lucy Morton, environment, nature and consents development director at Mott MacDonald, expressed enthusiasm for continuing their support: "We are delighted to continue supporting GBE-N, building on the environmental services we've been providing and bringing our deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and delivering integrated, end-to-end environmental solutions to major infrastructure programmes."
Stuart McLaren, head of nuclear and energy sector director at WSP, highlighted their commitment: "We're proud to support GBE-N in strengthening the UK's energy security and accelerating decarbonisation. Moving from first-of-a-kind to fleet at pace, without compromising safety, quality or environmental standards, is critical to success."
Economic Benefits and Community Engagement
The nuclear development at Wylfa is expected to create thousands of roles during the construction phase and several hundred permanent jobs once operational. GBE-N has committed to ensuring local voices continue to be heard throughout the programme's evolution, with lasting economic and social benefits promised for the region.
Both consultancies bring extensive expertise that will help navigate the complex permissions landscape with confidence, pace and rigour. Their collaborative approach aims to secure required consents while setting benchmarks for responsible, low-carbon energy development that embeds environmental considerations from concept through delivery.
