Anglesey is preparing for one of the most transformative infrastructure projects in modern Welsh history, the development of a new nuclear power station that will underpin clean energy production and deliver a long-term pipeline of skilled employment. The announcement has placed the island at the centre of the UK's next chapter in industrial renewal and energy security.
During a visit to Wales, the Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer reinforced this momentum on X, stating that he wants to create a future where those who want to stay and work in their local town can. His message came alongside confirmation of the government’s commitment to begin the new nuclear programme in Anglesey, a project that is already being described as a cornerstone of regional regeneration.
Rolls-Royce: A UK Engineering Powerhouse Leading the Delivery
A key factor elevating this project is the leadership of Rolls-Royce, one of Britain’s most respected engineering organisations. Their nuclear division — Rolls-Royce SMR — stands at the forefront of small modular reactor technology, representing decades of UK expertise in precision manufacturing, defence-grade engineering, and nuclear innovation.
The fact that a UK-based company is spearheading the development gives the project significant strategic value:
➜ it strengthens British manufacturing capability
➜ it keeps design, engineering and production within the UK
➜ it creates high-quality jobs in British factories
➜ it boosts export potential for UK-built nuclear technology
➜ it ensures long-term economic value stays in the UK supply chain
For the construction sector, having Rolls-Royce in the driving seat means a project led by world-class engineering standards and backed by deep technical credibility. Their experience across nuclear propulsion, power systems and modular manufacturing positions them as a cornerstone of the UK’s clean-energy future.
A Project with National Significance
This new nuclear development is not just a single construction scheme, it is a multi-decade industrial investment that brings together advanced engineering, modular manufacturing, civil works and long-term energy infrastructure. For Wales, it marks the return of large-scale, future-proofed energy capability. For the UK, it reinforces the ambition to secure stable, low-carbon baseload power.
The project’s early phase is already mobilising interest from major contractors, specialist engineering firms and suppliers with experience in nuclear-grade delivery. Ground investigation, earthworks planning and pre-construction design packages are expected to shape the first wave of activity.
One of the strongest impacts will be the creation of new, skilled employment in North Wales. The project is poised to generate hundreds of roles throughout construction and many more across the wider supply chain: from fabrication and logistics to testing, commissioning and long-term operational support.
For the local community, this aligns directly with Starmer’s message: giving people the choice to build long-term careers without needing to move away. Apprenticeships, engineering pathways and new training programmes will play a central role as the workforce scales.
For contractors and consultants, Anglesey’s new nuclear power station represents an opportunity to participate in one of the UK’s most complex and prestigious infrastructure builds. Nuclear construction demands the highest standards of:
➜ concrete quality and testing
➜ structural and reinforcement accuracy
➜ safety-led design
➜ modular and offsite fabrication
➜ environmental and marine considerations
➜ multi-disciplinary engineering
This project will inevitably shape workflows for groundworks, civils, mechanical/electrical installation, modular assembly and high-spec commissioning teams. It is an opportunity for companies across Wales and the wider UK to secure long-term, stable packages.
Beyond construction, the infrastructure surrounding the new nuclear station (transport upgrades, new supply hubs, skills centres, and supporting commercial activity) will stimulate wider economic uplift. Anglesey has long been recognised as a strategic energy location; this project cements its position as an anchor for a new industrial ecosystem.
The development also supports the UK’s broader clean-energy ambitions, ensuring resilient power for future manufacturing, digital growth and public services.
Sir Kier Starmer described the Anglesey scheme as national renewal in action — a statement that captures the broader vision behind the project. It is about rebalancing investment, restoring confidence in regions that have waited for meaningful growth, and building the infrastructure foundations for the next generation.
The Anglesey nuclear power station is more than an energy project: it is a signal of confidence, a driver of skilled employment, and a catalyst for long-term industrial growth. As groundwork begins and contractors prepare to engage, the construction industry is set to play a defining role in shaping Wales’ new energy era.
