Gwyndod Project

Debate between Baroness Curran and Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist

Thursday 29th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Gwyndod Project on civil nuclear employment in Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (Baroness Curran) (Lab)]

Great British Energy-Nuclear is continuing to drive forward Gwyndod, the UK’s first small modular reactor project. Great British Energy-Nuclear and Rolls-Royce SMR entered contract earlier this year and are now undertaking design work to progress the Gwyndod SMR project on Anglesey in north Wales. The project, which represents the most significant industrial investment in north Wales for a generation, will support up to 3,000 skilled jobs on site at peak construction, and thousands more across the supply chain.

[Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con)]

I thank the Minister for her Answer. Project Gwyndod indeed presents a unique opportunity to create thousands of skilled jobs, to transform local communities and to help Wales become a world leader in nuclear technology and its supply chain, but to achieve that ambition, we must also invest in the infrastructure and connectivity of that region, including an upgrade to the A55. What steps are the Government planning to take to ensure that this project is not held back by the current deficiencies in infrastructure?

[Baroness Curran (Lab)]

Of course infrastructure is vital, and I recognise the point the noble Baroness makes about Wales becoming a world leader and her commitment to Wales. This Government support the development of infrastructure very strongly, as has been evidenced on many occasions. The Government will work in partnership with the Welsh Government to deliver better transport in north Wales. This was demonstrated by Transport for Wales increasing the number of trains on the north Wales coastline by about half in May. In its planning for the delivery of the Gwyndod project, Great British Energy-Nuclear will consider the infrastructure required.