NORTH WALES IS A REGION FAR GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS.
THE PARTS COMBINE TO CREATE A MULTI-FACETED FOUNDATION FOR NEW NUCLEAR DELIVERY.
CROESO. WELCOME TO NORTH WALES.
Investment in nuclear power generation is estimated to exceed £250bn in the UK to meet the ambitious target of achieving 24GW of nuclear power by 2050. The nuclear sector is actively advancing through several significant ongoing projects and future plans.
This presents a huge opportunity for the Welsh economy, and North Wales is strongly positioned to drive economic growth from nuclear in Wales. Moreover, nuclear investment would significantly support the vibrancy of communities and improve their social, economic and environmental well-being for the future.
Our region has a long-standing, symbiotic relationship with nuclear. Nuclear activity has had – and continues to have – a positive socio-economic impact across North Wales and the rest of the country, and we have developed a number of strengths based on our experience in the sector.
According to the Nuclear Industry Association’s Jobs Map*, only around 1% of its members’ workforce (827 people) live in Wales. By contrast, over 29,000 people employed by NIA members work on nuclear in North West England. Ynys Môn has seen a 57% drop in jobs by NIA members linked to the nuclear industry - the worst of any UK constituency - despite Wylfa being recognised as the best site for new nuclear development in Europe. NIA members’ employment figures indicate that there are now only 321 nuclearrelated jobs on the island compared to 750 in 2010. Jobs in the nuclear industry in England on the other hand have risen by 65%.
* The NIA Jobs Map summarises the number of civil nuclear jobs across its membership. It does not represent the entire nuclear workforce in the UK.
Currently, the economic benefits created by the nuclear sector in the UK are not evenly spread and are centred around clusters of civil nuclear activity in the North West and South West of England.
Increasing the proportion of the nuclear workforce in Wales, even just to bring it in line with its proportion of the UK population (4%) could see the number of jobs and level of GVA increase considerably.
Investment in nuclear in North Wales would help meet the UK Government’s energy security, net zero and growth aspirations; whilst also supporting the Welsh Government’s vision, as stated in The National Plan 2040, of creating significant economic benefits for the region and generating low carbon energy to help in the fight against climate change.
North Wales stands ready to capitalise on the projected growth in the nuclear sector and redress the economic imbalance to bring substantial benefits for the whole of Wales.
Increased investment in nuclear is likely over the next few decades, creating a demand for a varied and skilled workforce, with many 10,000s of job and business opportunities across the UK.
WE
WANT TO SECURE A FAIR SHARE OF THIS INVESTMENT FOR WALES.
This document sets out the opportunity for Wales from the projected growth in the UK’s civil nuclear sector. It makes the case for bringing new nuclear development to North Wales, and showcases what the region has to offer.
CWMNI EGINO OFFERS A WELL-ESTABLISHED VEHICLE – ROOTED IN NORTH WALES – TO DRIVE NEW NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION, AND TO BRING TOGETHER THE REQUIRED COMPONENTS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY OF NUCLEAR AND ASSOCIATED BENEFITS.
CWMNI EGINO
Our mission is to help create the conditions for a thriving North Wales by facilitating the maximum social, economic, and environmental benefits from new nuclear investment in the region – or, in other words, to positively impact the area in a lasting and meaningful way.
Cwmni Egino was set up by Welsh Government in 2021 to develop socio-economic growth opportunities from new nuclear development in North Wales. The foresight of establishing Cwmni Egino is in itself a reflection of the widely acknowledged potential in Wales for nuclear to deliver tangible and lasting benefits for communities.
Since the company’s inception, we have established strong capability and expertise, development methodologies and positive stakeholder relationships - locally, regionally and nationally.
We are committed to promoting the attractiveness and potential of new nuclear in North Wales. Our approach provides a solid foundation for nuclear investment in the region and a blueprint for community engagement and delivering social value from new nuclear developments elsewhere in the UK.
Cwmni Egino stands ready to be a key player in bringing forward new nuclear in Wales, working with Government and other stakeholders.
Aligned with the broader vision for the economy and energy sector in North Wales and beyond, as well as the national well-being goals, we want to ensure maximum positive impact for our region and the rest of the nation.
Our mission is to start creating innovative opportunities to ensure we protect and enhance our natural environment whilst also allowing communities to thrive. Building on our strengths and taking advantage of opportunities where they add value, beyond monetary value alone, to the region.
NORTH WALES REGIONAL ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK
Our vision for North Wales is: Delivering maximum local economic, social, ecological and well-being benefits from transitioning to a net zero economy and becoming a net exporter of low carbon electricity through cross-border and regional cooperation.
NORTH WALES ENERGY STRATEGY
Vision for a thriving North Wales
If we are successful in our mission, the social, economic and environmental benefits delivered through new nuclear should contribute to a thriving North Wales.
There’s a desire in North Wales for a region where there are opportunities for prosperity across three inextricably linked pillars – people, economy and place - with the Welsh language and culture a running thread between each.
Cwmni Egino’s vision of a thriving North Wales comprises our visions for the people, the economy and the place.
OUR VISION FOR PEOPLE
North Wales has optimum conditions for people to make choices that enable them to achieve a fulfilling life, whatever that means to them. There is suitable provision to enable people to be happier, healthier, more resilient, and they have the means and resources to access and benefit from attractive, viable, safe, and well-connected communities.
OUR VISION FOR ECONOMY
North Wales is an innovative, productive, and low carbon environment which generates wealth and builds economic resilience that local people benefit from. People have the education, skills, and support to take advantage of the opportunities available, which are accessible for all.
OUR VISION FOR PLACE
North Wales is an attractive place for people to live and enjoy, the natural and human made environment in North Wales is protected and enhanced, and there is support for sustainable social, economic, and environmental initiatives that add mutual value to community life, the environment, and linguistic and cultural wellbeing.
Our social value approach
Cwmni Egino’s fundamental driver is to make North Wales an attractive place to live and work, where communities can thrive, and where there are sustainable social and economic opportunities for people, now and in the future. It’s what is commonly called ‘creating social value’ – and for us, it’s common sense.
Whenever we talk about social value, we mean making a real and positive difference to the lives and wellbeing of those who call North Wales their home. This is something that we are passionate about.
For Cwmni Egino, delivering social value goes way beyond meeting minimum statutory requirements. Social value is integral to who we are and what we’re about. We firmly believe that having the region’s best interests at heart is simply ‘the right thing to do’ – and in so doing we can create much better conditions for the successful delivery of future nuclear projects.
We are looking at what can be done to optimise the multitude of benefits nuclear investment can bring to North Wales: for everyone. Not as a ‘bolt-on’ – but as a fundamental way of working.
Employment, skills, and supply chain opportunities, as well as clean energy production, are inherent in nuclear projects. They are incredibly important enablers and drivers to improve quality of life; but they are the means not the ends.
Nuclear investment can deliver far-reaching benefits which can support a better quality of life for people: by retaining and attracting talent; opening up business opportunities (beyond the nuclear sector); and creating clean, healthy and vibrant places where people can thrive – where young people can look forward to a future locally should they wish, and where the Welsh language and culture can flourish.
OUR APPROACH TO SOCIAL VALUE IS WELL ALIGNED WITH THE WELLBEING OF FUTURE GENERATIONS (WALES) ACT 2015, WHICH DEFINES
‘7 WELL-BEING GOALS’ AND ‘5 WAYS OF WORKING’ TO IMPROVE THE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL WELLBEING OF WALES. THESE ARE, IN TURN, DERIVED FROM, AND ALIGN WITH THE UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
Cwmni Egino has developed a social value framework and engagement strategy, drawing on local needs analyses and socio-economic data, stakeholder engagement, existing socio-economic programmes within the region, and examples of benefits realisation worldwide.
Our approach can be adopted and adapted to shape future nuclear – and other infrastructure developments – in the region. It can help make sure that projects are delivered consciously, and by design, from start to finish in a way which respects and promotes host communities’ needs and aspirations.
The integration of sustainability principles into infrastructure projects, including energy, is increasingly recognised as essential for achieving broader social, economic, and environmental goals.
Engaging with communities to discover their needs is a critical aspect of infrastructure development that ensures projects are relevant, sustainable, and beneficial to the populations they serve.
Proactive engagement, and an inclusive approach to community benefits – such as that developed by Cwmni Egino – can lead to smoother project execution and a more favorable regulatory environment, ultimately benefiting both developers and communities.
DR EDWARD JONES, SENIOR LECTURER IN ECONOMICS, BANGOR UNIVERSITY
18,000 people employed across the Energy & Environment sector in North Wales
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE
We’ve been producing energy for centuries, and have proudly hosted nuclear power stations since the 1960s.
It is a little-known fact that Wales was the world’s first industrialised nation. This heritage is carved into our hills, nestled around our shores and interwoven with our culture. It is engrained in who we are.
£1.2bn
Gross Value Added (GVA) by the Energy & Environment sector in North Wales; ~8% of total GVA
£63m currently spent annually with North Wales based companies actively working in the UK civil nuclear sector
WE’VE ADAPTED RESILIENTLY AND INNOVATIVELY TO ENERGY TRANSITIONS OF THE PAST AND ARE NOW EMBRACING THE PROSPECTS OF A LOW CARBON FUTURE.
Nuclear is very much a part of our story – from the height of electricity generation in the 20th century, to present-day opportunities from decommissioning and new development.
North Wales is a hot spot for clean energy projects, and the low carbon sector is rapidly growing within the region.
Future investment in nuclear would significantly help anchor this growth, securing thousands of jobs and business opportunities and delivering tangible benefits regionwide for many decades to come. It would also support other low carbon industries through the development of transferable skills, supply chain capability and workforce readiness.
Alongside other clean energy technologies, nuclear has a huge role in our modern day industrial, economic and social revival.
The 1851 Census showed there were more people employed in industry than in agriculture in Wales, the first time that occurred in any country.
A low carbon landscape
Our industrial, electricity producing past is shaping our low carbon future. We’re becoming a hotspot for new energy projects and nuclear forms an important complementary segment of the broader regional eco-system.
The mix of existing and proposed technologies within the low carbon sector here in North Wales paves way to a diverse energy economy to support sustainable, green growth. There are also innovative decarbonisation schemes in other sectors, such as housing, and numerous community energy schemes.
Activities such as supply chain and skills development by the nuclear sector could support other energy-related industries, and vice-versa.
There is already collaboration and shared learning between Cwmni Egino and other low carbon energy players, and a mutual desire to develop a joined up approach for the benefit of all. A collective effort is being harnessed to maximise the opportunities and capture the full spectrum of benefits that can be realised for people and their communities within the region.
Our region’s unique characteristics and natural resources offer the potential to develop projects that create new jobs, reduce carbon emissions and contribute to achieving net zero by 2050.
The Low Carbon Energy programme within the North Wales Growth Deal will unlock the benefits of developing clean energy projects within the region, positioning North Wales as a leading location for the sector.
The programme’s portfolio of projects (which includes new nuclear at Trawsfynydd) aims to achieve up to £335m net additional GVA, create 1035 new jobs in North Wales, and generate at least 314MW of electricity from low carbon energy in the region.
North Wales has a really unique mix of energy generation capacity and a history of delivering energy for the UK for decades!
The region has a lot of strengths and capabilities and is perfectly positioned to help towards the just transition to Net Zero.
The Growth Deal is an agreement that will generate a total investment of over £1 billion for North Wales in order to generate over 4000 new jobs and increase GVA by £2.4 billion.
Signed in December 2020, the agreement secures funding of £120 million from Welsh Government and £120 million from the UK Government to invest in the Growth Deal’s project portfolio.
The Government funding will be received annually over the next 15 years (by 2036) as projects receive Full Business Case approval. The private and public sector will work collaboratively to attract additional funding that will make up the £1 billion total.
North Wales hosts 37% of Wales’ renewable energy capacity (1,183 MW)
There is an estimated 85% transferability between the skills and supply chain profile of nuclear and other energy and infrastructure sectors
A 3 GW reactor at Wylfa would add significantly to North Wales’ low carbon generation capacity
NORTH WALES ENERGY STRATEGY
ONSHORE WIND OFFSHORE WIND HYDROELECTRIC
Nuclear provides reliable baseload power which can balance the variability of wind and other renewables, and reduce the total costs of decarbonising the energy mix .
OUR NUCLEAR SITES
North Wales boasts two excellent sites for new nuclear development, with the potential to deploy large and small scale projects and to move at pace.
Our region is a strong contender for the siting of new nuclear projects. Cwmni Egino’s work evidences the viability of small scale nuclear at Trawsfynydd, whilst the purchase of the Wylfa site by the UK Government and previous development work done by Horizon Nuclear Power makes it an attractive candidate for future investment – be that Small Modular Reactors (SMR) or large, gigawatt scale.
Both sites come with a strong nuclear heritage, including knowledge and skills honed locally over many decades and a workforce already active in the sector through decommissioning and supply chain activity.
» Trawsfynydd’s legacy extends back over 60 years to the building and opening of the existing power station in 1965. The site generated enough electricity to power around 1m homes a year over 26 years, and at peak employed 700+ people. Decommissioning has been ongoing since the early 1990s, with continued employment on site and through the supply chain.
» The existing power station at Wylfa stopped generating electricity in 2015 which marked the conclusion of Magnox reactor generation in the UK. Defueling was completed in September 2019, with 87,890 fuel elements removed from the site and transported to Sellafield for reprocessing.
Wylfa
Trawsfynydd
Trawsfynydd, in South Gwynedd, is the ‘lead and learn’ site for reactor dismantling within the Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) fleet which means there are continuous decommissioning activities on the site.
Planned works include further demolitions to progressively reduce risk and hazards instead of the previous strategy of preparing the site to a deferral phase. Not only does this ensure a safer environment; it is also fostering a skilled workforce withinthe local areastrengthening the local economy and supporting the community.
There is an opportunity in the here and now to capitalise on both the existing socio-economic impact from decommissioning, as well as maximise the attractiveness of the site for future investment and longer term benefits.
Trawsfynydd is an existing nuclear site under the ownership of Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) with access to essential infrastructure, including connection to the National Grid.
Cwmni Egino and NDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2022 to support the assessment and development of Trawsfynydd as a site for future nuclear use.
DEPLOYMENT OF SMR AT TRAWSFYNYDD COULD CREATE OVER 400 LONG-TERM JOBS IN THE LOCAL AREA AND OVER £600M GVA FOR NORTH WEST WALES AND £1.3BN GVA FOR THE WHOLE OF WALES DURING AN OPERATIONAL
LIFE OF 60 YEARS.
Having grown up and now living in North West Wales, with both of my parents originally from the local area, I’m thrilled to have been given the opportunity to be Director of the Trawsfynydd site. My mother was raised in the village of Trawsfynydd whilst my grandfather helped to build the power station back in the early 1960’s, before working here as an engineer during the electricity generation phase until his retirement in 1997.
TOM WILLIAMS, TRAWSFYNYDD SITE DIRECTOR, NRS
An emerging masterplan for Traws
Cwmni Egino has explored the possibility of small scale nuclear development at Trawsfynydd. It has developed a substantive business proposition which evidences the viability of deploying small scale nuclear at the site to support the UK’s wider nuclear energy ambitions – either as part of a future Great British Nuclear (GBN) programme or through private investment.
There is also potential to deliver a broader vision for the site based on the nuclear legacy already established. The decommissioning expertise nurtured at Trawsfynydd is earning the site centre of excellence status, leveraging global interest and creating an opportunity for wider multi-disciplinary economic activity in the area.
Welsh Government’s Project ARTHUR is developing a business case for a Medical Research Reactor, which could be hosted at Trawfynydd on land beyond that required for a small-scale nuclear power station. This would contribute to increasing capacity for cancer treatments and other illnesses as well as generate jobs directly and through associated research and innovation.
In addition, work is underway to scope the feasibility of a proposed Collaborative Working facility to complement decommissioning, new nuclear and medical research opportunities at the site. This would provide an environment for industry, academic community and local businesses to harness existing expertise and develop new enterprises and initiatives around nuclear and clean energy – creating additional scope for social, economic and environmental value creation.
Wylfa
Wylfa is situated on the northern coast of Anglesey. Operational between 1971 and 2015, it was the biggest and last of the Magnox gascooled nuclear reactors to be built. It generated enough electricity to power around 2m homes a year during its operational lifetime.
Wylfa is listed in the National Policy Statement for Nuclear Power Generation (EN-6) for the siting of new nuclear. Covering over 200 hectares, it is an excellent site for new nuclear deployment, and could accommodate both large and small reactors. A new development at Wylfa would hugely increase North Wales’ low carbon generation capacity, whilst creating much needed employment and wider social value on the island and across the region.
Horizon Nuclear Power
Horizon Nuclear Power was established in 2009, following the acquisition of land at Oldbury in South Gloucestershire and Wylfa in North Wales. The company was acquired by Hitachi in 2012 and intended to build 1350MWe Advanced Boiling Water Reactors on each site.
Horizon developed a project at Wylfa through to submitting permit applications, including a Development Consent Order. Unfortunately it was not able to reach an agreement to finance the project and in 2024, the Horizon land at Wylfa was acquired by Great British Nuclear with the intention of pursuing new nuclear opportunities, noting the significant amount of development work which had already been undertaken.
Wylfa is one of the very best sites for new nuclear anywhere in Europe...New nuclear capacity at Wylfa would transform the North Wales economy with fresh investment, thousands of good jobs, as well as providing clean, reliable and sovereign power lasting well into the next century.
NUCLEAR
North Anglesey has seen an economic decline over the last 20 years. The subsequent lack of jobs has resulted in working aged people, many of whom are Welsh speakers, moving out with their families – leaving an ageing population and a struggling economy.
A new nuclear development at Wylfa, either a large or SMR scale, is vital to ensure the long-term well-being and prosperity of our Island’s communities, particularly those in North Anglesey.
We secured early contracts with Horizon Nuclear Power to support enabling works on site. This was a major boost to the company allowing us to grow and take on more staff. Despite Wylfa Newydd not going ahead last time around, we remain hopeful that things will happen again soon. It would be good for us but also for the island, bringing long-term jobs here. Like many other local companies, we’re ready to step up again.
MARK BLACKWELL, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ANGLESEY-BASED DU CONSTRUCTION
Potential impact of new nuclear at Wylfa £4bn
inward investment into Wales, the largest in Welsh history
Up to £325m of annual supply chain spend in North Wales (~8% of total GVA)
Enough clean, reliable electricity to power £6m homes across the UK
900 jobs in operation for 60-80 years
computer-generated view of the planned Wylfa Newydd power station in Anglesey (Credit: Horizon Nuclear Power)
» 97% of all employees and 100% of new recruits live in the local authority area or an adjacent one.
» C. £6m socio-economic funding for local projects from NDA/Magnox between 2012-22.
» £19m GVA from decommissioning on the site.
The NDA group directly invests around £15m each year on social impact work through a grant giving programme; typically these are economic interventions in specific communities co-created with local stakeholders and utilising independently produced economic baselines that detail the social and economic impact of our activities on those communities nearest to our sites.
NDA SOCIAL IMPACT AND COMMUNITIES STRATEGY (2024)
£7.8m
NDA/Magnox socio-economic funding allocated to projects in North Wales between 2012-22
North Wales received more than
£520,000
of NDA/NRS funding allocated to Trawsfynydd and Wylfa in 2023-24 – around 50% of the total NRS socio-economic committed spend for the period
North Wales has 3 areas of outstanding natural beauty, 15 mountains above 3000ft, including the highest mountain in England and Wales, 5 Heritage Coast designations, 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and 1210 scheduled monuments of national importance.
PEOPLE & PLACE
Our people bring life to our beautiful landscape; the place enables our way of life.
People and place are inter-twined, particularly in rural communities like North Wales. Our natural and historic environment is where we live, work and enjoy; it is the backbone of our language, culture, and identity.
The area is rich in industrial and cultural heritage, and is a popular tourism and recreation destination due to our magnificent mountain ranges, coastline and areas of outstanding beauty.
There is a strong sense of belonging here in North Wales. When people leave, they want to return. When people come here, they don’t want to leave.
But our region also faces many economic challenges and despite pockets of relatively high employment, some of our communities are among the most deprived in the UK.
FOR OUR PEOPLE AND PLACES TO THRIVE, WE NEED TO CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT FOR SUSTAINED SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROWTH, PROVIDING JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THESE ARE KEY ENABLERS FOR RETAINING AND ATTRACTING TALENT, SUPPORTING THE VIABILITY OF OUR COMMUNITIES – INCLUDING OUR LANGUAGE AND CULTURE – AND SAFEGUARDING A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT.
We’ve experienced first hand how investment in nuclear, like other infrastructure projects, can stimulate regeneration, provide a catalyst for positive change, and strengthen our sense of place.
Our communities are ready to welcome the next generation of nuclear opportunity in the region. There is widespread understanding and acceptance of nuclear, and an aspiration to capture the benefits that can flow from new projects. Whilst it should never be taken for granted, the social licence to operate exists in North Wales.
We want to see nuclear potential realised to secure our social, economic and environmental well-being for decades to come and provide the conditions for people to remain, return or be welcomed into our communities.
The wage premium in the nuclear industry is substantial, with salaries 80% higher than the UK average. Each nuclear job contributes an average of £102,300 in GVA to the economy.
This underscores the importance of nuclear projects for rural areas in North Wales, where such high-value jobs can transform local economies and address deep-rooted social challenges. 54% of people in Wales support nuclear energy, compared with 24% who oppose.
Source: Public Attitudes toward Clean Energy (PACE)
Regional socioeconomic snapshot
Home to over 700,000 people – around 23% of the population of Wales.
Disposable income per head £18,247 – similar to that for the whole of Wales which ranks 10th out of 12 of UK countries and regions.
45% of the population is over 50 years old – the median age is 46 (higher than the age for Wales and England).
Number of adults aged 65+ projected to grow by 17% by 2025 – likely to increase the economically inactive through retirement, age-related ill health and caring responsibilities.
Regional average wages per job is £24.8k - this is £5.6k below the national average wages of £30.4k per job.
Average full time weekly earnings £622 - 2nd lowest in Wales.
194,293 Welsh speakers in the region (2021) down by 5% since 2011. The highest percentages of Welsh speakers can be found in Gwynedd (64.3%) and the Isle of Anglesey (55.8%).
Having lectured engineering at a tertiary college in Dolgellau for six years, I witnessed many eager and talented students with limited opportunities. Despite their potential, only a handful secured apprenticeships. Many excel in their careers but often face long commutes or permanent relocation.
With many exciting large projects coming forward – and especially with the potential for nuclear investment – we are confident that North Wales has a bright future and are dedicated to contributing to this future in a meaningful way. By offering apprenticeships and highly paid jobs, we aim to attract engineers and designers back to Wales.
HUW BRASSINGTON, HEAD OF WALES OFFICE, TENET CONSULTANTS
Wales has a pattern of net migration of 15 to 29-year-olds leaving for other areas in the UK for better pay or more attractive careers. This is particularly pertinent in parts of North Wales, with a steady trend of young and talented people leaving the region – Ynys Môn for example has the third lowest proportion of this age group of all Welsh parliamentary constituencies.
The discourse surrounding the future of Welsh-speaking communities is often characterised by the need to protect them for future generations, and consequently the mindset that they should therefore be protected from change and economic growth. While the reasons for such a mindset are understandable, it is incumbent on the Government to promote economic growth and to spread prosperity across Wales. We cannot expect Welsh-speaking communities to remain static while the nature of society is changing... We want to see good jobs that enable young people to remain or, if they leave for different life experiences, to return to these areas to live and raise a family.
WELSH GOVERNMENT, ‘CYMRAEG
2050: A MILLION WELSH
SPEAKERS’
Connectivity Road
North Wales benefits from strong connectivity via the A55 and A470.
The A55 opens up the region for people and the supply of goods and materials from urban centres such as Warrington, Manchester and Liverpool.
The A470 is the main arterial route between North and South Wales.
Rail
The North Wales Network, and especially the availability of rail heads in proximity of Wylfa and Trawsfynydd sites, presents the opportunity of reducing the reliance on the highway for commuting staff and delivery of components and materials.
Sea
North Wales is now home to a designated Freeport on Anglesey. This opens up additional socio-economic opportunities and provides a central hub to distribute components to ports in closer proximity to future sites.
Grid
The National Grid Electricity Transmission Network and particularly sub-stations positioned at Wylfa and Trawsfynydd eases connectivity for future development.
Cwmni Egino has secured a Grid Connection Agreement for up to 940MW at Trawsfynydd.
WREXHAM
WELSHPOOL
SUPPLY CHAIN
Cwmni Egino has gathered in-depth intelligence on the nuclear supply chain in Wales, including current and potential capacity, capability and appetite for future work in the sector. This supports a cross-sector, regional approach to supply chain development and market engagement.
There are currently 345 organisations based in Wales who support the nuclear sector, generating c£160M of sales annually directly from nuclear activity. Of these 114 organisations are based in North Wales, generating c£63M of sales every year for the regional economy. This excludes the contribution from regional offices of UK wide businesses headquartered outside Wales.
The Hinkley Point C new nuclear project spent £165 Million in Wales up to 2023 since the inception of the project. Given its geographic location, the majority of Welsh companies supplying Hinkley Point C are located in South Wales.
It is forecasted that up to £700 million will be spent by Hinkley Point C in the Welsh supply chain during the construction phase, with an estimated 3,500 jobs created in Wales.
There is clearly the potential to grow activity within the Welsh nuclear supply chain through the projected increase in nuclear new build spend arising from both UK wide programme opportunities and regional-specific projects located in Wales, e.g. at the Wylfa and Trawsfynydd sites.
The strength of the Welsh supply chain is largely in the SME sector, especially in North Wales. Of the North Wales supply chain delivering at Hinkley Point C, 96% are SMEs, with 1 large supplier regionally based. In contrast, there are 17 large suppliers across South Wales delivering at Hinkley Point C.
North Wales companies are particularly well positioned to supply goods and services for the nuclear sector in a number of areas, such as plant & equipment; nonspecialised wholesale supply; repair & maintenance; electrical & mechanical installation; and waste management.
There is an opportunity for organic, sustainable growth by building on existing and emerging capability in the Welsh and North Wales supply chain, harnessing the expertise of companies already active in nuclear as well as attracting new entrants who may not currently identify as ‘nuclear’ but have the appetite and potential to supply the sector.
Given the commonality of services and skills, nuclear supply chain development in Wales could support and open up opportunities in other industries.
10,900+ potential Welsh nuclear suppliers
£23-26bn
Total capacity of potential Welsh nuclear supliers
Welsh nuclear supply chain overview
WALES
NORTH WALES
Hinkley Point C, on the Somerset Coast, is a real life example of how new nuclear development can boost regional economies and support local communities.
Number of people employed by companies currently working in the nuclear sector
Over £5.3 Billion has been spent by the project on local supply chain opportunities across South-West England. It has created 23,000 new jobs with thousands of indirect opportunities estimated to have been created further down the supply chain.
By the end of the construction project, the South-West England region will have had around £7.3 Billion worth of contract and supply chain opportunities, accounting for a forecasted 20% of the total project cost.
SKILLS
The UK’s total nuclear workforce needs to more than double, from around 83,000 people currently working in the sector to between 150,000 – 180,000 to deliver the UK Government’s target of 24GW of nuclear power by 2050. 40,000 nuclear sector jobs will need to be filled by 2030 to meet demand.
Jobs in the civil nuclear sector are relatively much higher paid than other industries, and have a strong regional dimension meaning that people can live and work in their home communities. The skills required go way beyond nuclear engineering; there is demand across a huge range of wider skills for nuclear, such as construction and project management.
The scope and breadth of career opportunities from the projected growth in new nuclear would create openings for all – allowing young people to stay local, supporting families who want to return, and helping to bring people back into work.
North Wales has a robust skills and training infrastructure combined with collaborative initiatives upon which we can further develop the workforce and upskill our people to meet the predicted demand for skills within the nuclear sector.
North Wales faces many of the same skills challenges as other parts of the UK, and a shortage of skills is an issue across sectors here like it is elsewhere. But with the certainty of investment, our region will mobilise and rise to the challenge as it has done before.
Working in nuclear doesn’t require a degree in nuclear physics. Careers are not limited to technical and engineering roles either, with demand also in areas such as legal, finance and communications roles. Nuclear projects need a vast variety of supporting services throughout the entire lifecycle which range from catering and cleaning to transport and (in the context of Wales,) translation and Welsh language provision.
The regional skills challenge
» Overall skills shortages with 37% of vacancies hard to fill.
» 70% of employers in the region are facing skills challenges and currently reporting acute labour supply shortages and unfilled vacancies across most of the region and sectors.
» Skills shortages are causing recruitment problems in the energy sector and technical skills are in demand.
» With skills in short supply, many employers find the recruitment process taking longer and those candidates within demand skill sets and experience are able to leverage higher salaries.
» Skills shortages are in engineering and technicians’ occupations with STEM qualifications as well as quantity surveyors, data scientists, cyber security and project management expert roles.
» Employability & work ready skills such as problem solving, communication, digital, leadership & management are also sought.
» Top five future skills needs noted by employers across all sectors are renewable energy, project management, digital, Welsh language and specialist engineering skills.
Addressing the skills challenge
» Work is already underway through the Regional Skills Partnership to better understand and resolve skills mismatches at a local and regional level with a dedicated Skills and Employment Plan for the region –this includes the energy sector as a key growth area.
» Primary and secondary schools across the region –supported by partners including organisations like Careers Wales – are inspiring children and young people into careers across all sectors, providing valuable work experience for school age individuals, and educating the influencers of young people, such as parents and teachers, about career pathways and opportunities..
» Careers and Work-Related Experience (CWRE) is embedded in the New Curriculum for Wales, and employers in the region are eager to engage with schools and inspire young people into careers paths and opportunities across all sectors with several Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) delivered by industry in educational settings.
» Our further education colleges, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Coleg Cambria are proactive in delivering apprenticeships and work-based learning across a range of disciplines and we’ve seen an increase in Level 3 and Level 4+ apprenticeship starts. Degree Apprenticeships in Wales are currently offered in Digital and Engineering sectors and there is a broad offer across the region, as well as Wrexham University offering a Low Carbon Energy and Sustainability Degree Apprenticeships.
» Bangor and Wrexham Universities are anchor institutions in our region. Bangor University has a growing specialism in Nuclear and Low Carbon energy research and development, and hosts the Nuclear Futures Institute which is fast becoming a global centre for nuclear knowledge and research. Wrexham University has a particular specialism in harnessing optic and photonic technologies and is developing an Enterprise, Engineering, and Optics Centre as a hub for the design and construction of products involving composites and optics – one of two high value manufacturing projects under the North Wales Growth Deal.
» Our Universities play a regional, national and international role in meeting current and future skills demands, helping sustain growth, and forming research collaborations and industrial partnerships across Wales and beyond.
» Broader skills initiatives include Welsh Governmentfunded Adult Community Learning partnerships that work collaboratively and with wider partners to ensure individual, local and regional priorities are supported. The North Wales Employability Pathway aims to ensure that support is given to individuals at every stage of their journey back into work from Pre-Employment to In-Work support.
In 2021, 31% (176,740) of usual residents aged 16 or over in North Wales reported their highest qualification was at level 4 or above on census day (for example Higher National Certificate, Higher National Diploma, Bachelor’s degree and postgraduate qualifications). This was a significant increase compared to 2011 when it was 24% (137,501) people.
North Wales offers industry-standard education and training facilities for learners of all ages, from school enrolments to full/part time higher and further education courses, work-based learning and industry-focused provision.
NUCLEAR FUTURES
INSTITUTE (NFI)
Establishing North Wales as a centre of nuclear excellence
The NFI at Bangor University is developing a world leading capability in nuclear science and engineering, with an ever expanding expertise, academic capacity and research programme. It is rapidly establishing North Wales as an international centre in nuclear technology; fostering industrial links and opportunities and works closely with the UK industry. The NFI has a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Nuclear Laboratory to work on joint research projects and shared access to infrastructure, facilities, and equipment.
GR Ŵ P LLANDRILLO MENAI
World-class facilities to support nuclear skills
Canolfan STeM (Skills and Technology Centre) is a state-of-the-art engineering training facility located next to the Energy Centre on the Grŵp Llandrillo Menai further education campus in Llangefni. The £13.6m project was funded alongside partners including Welsh Government, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Horizon Nuclear Power, to capitalise on the skills and job opportunities created by the former Wylfa Newydd development as well as wider energy and infrastructure projects in North Wales.
The college works with local, national and international companies to enable young people to get the high-quality skills required by employers, tailoring courses to match labour market demands – developing ‘home grown’ talent to meet current and future needs.
The Centre complements other facilities across the Grŵp’s estate – such as the Centre for Infrastructure Skills and Technology (CIST) also located at Llangefni, the Engineering Centre on its Rhyl campus, and brand new STEM laboratories at the Coleg MeirionDwyfor sites in Dolgellau and Pwllheli.
EGNI STEM PROGRAMME
Inspiring and involving the next generation
Cwmni Egino, alongside Cyngor Gwynedd, have been working with M-SParc to develop and deliver the Egni STEM outreach programme for schools, in Gwynedd and Anglesey with funding from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the Shared Prosperity Fund.
Over the course of ten weeks, children are posed with one of the most challenging questions of our time - how can we power our communities in a sustainable and responsible way for the future?
By tackling this challenge, the programme educates and raises awareness among school children about nuclear and other clean energy sources, as well as the career options available to them locally within the low carbon sector. The children also learn crosscurricular skills like maths, digital skills, critical thinking and entrepreneurship – all linked to the new Curriculum for Wales.
Hundreds of primary and secondary aged children from Gwynedd & Anglesey have been involved since the programme launched in September 2023, working in teams to learn about climate change and low carbon energy solutions, and designing their own sustainable eco communities for the future.
M-SPARC
Wales’s first science park which is supporting new nuclear in North Wales.
Officially opened in 2018, M-SParc is the home of innovation and excitement in North Wales and is a key part of the region’s low carbon focus, linking to exciting developments taking place on the ‘Energy Island’ of Anglesey, and across North Wales.
It is a proposed tax and customs site as part of the Anglesey Freeport will operate at M-SParc, which will prove a catalyst for further research, development, and innovation.
M-SParc is fully occupied with innovative businesses; 73% of the tenant companies are in the low carbon sector and are at the heart of new and exciting developments. A second building is now being developed focused on Low Carbon Innovation.
Supporting the region’s decarbonisation ambitions and key energy clusters – including nuclear – is one of M-SParc’s core objectives.
The Egni team was established in 2021 to provide specialist support in the low carbon sector and to take advantage of the wide range of opportunities in this sector across North Wales. The team works across a range of projects and supports activity in the energy sector, from new nuclear to the offshore wind sector.
M-SParc has strategic collaborations with partners that span the country. It features in the Innovation Strategy for Wales and aligns with crucial Regional and National strategies such as Bangor 2030 and the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government.
COLLABORATION
North Wales has a ready-made network of networks and partnerships, connecting us to the rest of Wales and our neighbours over the border. We share the common goal of working together, across sectors and projects, to improve our region in the context of Wales and the UK more widely.
Ambition North Wales
www.ambitionnorth.wales
Ambition North Wales works as a partnership to deliver on the ambition to identify and deliver opportunities to develop the regional economy, create opportunities for people to gain new skills for the future and develop rewarding careers, and for businesses to grow and communities to prosper.
The partnership includes the six local authorities in North Wales, the region’s two universities (Bangor and Wrexham) and further education institutions (Grŵp Llandrillo Menai which has sites across North-West Wales and Coleg Cambria which has sites in North-East Wales). Ambition North Wales’ Portfolio Management Office is responsible, along with other partners, for delivering the Growth Deal, and holding stewardship of the regional economic vision.
Regional Skills Partnership
www.rspnorth.wales
Since 2014, the North Wales RSP has been bringing together employers, skills providers and key local stakeholders to address skills shortages by influencing post-16 skills provision in North Wales based on labour market intelligence and employer-led insight.
The RSP pools intelligence from across the labour market system, leverages existing networks and provides vital strategic advice, oversight and recommendations to decision-makers.
Public Services Boards ( PSB s)
There are four PSBs in North Wales covering Gwynedd & Anglesey; Conwy & Denbighshire, Flintshire, and Wrexham. Their purpose is to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of the area by strengthening joint working across all public services.
PSBs are statutory bodies with responsibilities under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 ), including an assessment of the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of their area and production of a Well-being Plan setting out objectives and the steps they will take to meet them.
North West Nuclear Arc
www.nwna.co.uk
The North West Nuclear Arc – NWNA – is a nuclear sector cluster spanning North Wales and the North of England, incorporating all the facilities and capabilities across the whole nuclear lifecycle from fuels, to energy production, management of waste and decommissioning. NWNA is unique in the UK and widely recognised as a world class, self-contained, end to end nuclear system all within a very compact geography.
Wales Nuclear Forum www.walesnuclearforum.com
Established in 2017, the Wales Nuclear Forum is a membership organisation representing the nuclear industry in Wales. It links closely to other regional nuclear and energy networks across the UK, and has Memoranda of Understanding with several nuclear cluster and industry bodies globally. It fosters collaborations between members enabling joint enterprise to attract business that might be lost by individual companies.
Bringing new nuclear to North Wales would help deliver equitable green jobs and growth, ensure a just transition to net zero in Wales, and create sustainably vibrant communities in the region for generations to come.
NORTH WALES AND NUCLEAR GO HAND IN HAND.
WE WANT NEW NUCLEAR.
WE ARE READY FOR NEW NUCLEAR.
But investment won’t land in our lap. We need strong advocacy at a political level as we demonstrate our ambition and capability to make it happen.
INFORMATION SOURCES
This prospectus was produced by Cwmni Egino drawing on findings from the work and studies undertaken by the team to date. It has also been informed by publications produced by other organisations.
» A manufacturing future for Wales: our journey to Wales 4.0 Welsh Government (2023)
» Civil Nuclear: Roadmap to 2050 Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, UK Government (2024)
» Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers Welsh Government (2017)
» Data Cymru website
» Economic Impact Assessment of Magnox Sites: a report for The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Economic Insight (2023)
» Ensuring Community Benefits From Large Energy Infrastructure Projects Bangor University (2024)
» Future Wales: The National Plan 2040 Welsh Government (2021)
» Local Needs Analysis Cwmni Egino/Arup (2023) (unpublished)
» Magnox socio-economic story 2012-22 Magnox
» National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills Nuclear Skills Delivery Group (2024)
» NDA Social Impact and Communities Strategy Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (2024)
» NIA Jobs Map: 2024 Nuclear Industry Association (2024)
» North Wales Energy Strategy North Wales Ambition Board (2020)
» North Wales Regional Economic Framework Ambition North Wales (2022)
» North Wales Skills and Employment Plan 2023-25 North Wales Regional Skills Partnership
» Nuclear Workforce Data 2023 Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG)/Cogent Skills
» Online Data Observatory North Wales Regional Skills Partnership
» Public Attitudes toward Clean Energy (PACE) Nuclear Industry Association/Radiant Energy Group (2023)
» Social Value Handbook, Cwmni Egino Supply Chain Capability Study: Wales Cwmni Egino (unpublished)
» The NDA Group Investing in our communities: Socio-economic funding report 2023/24 Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (2024)
