Pressure on the UK government to allocate £ 20 million to the island’s nuclear test facility

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Virginia Crosbie MP Anglesey and Cllr Carwyn Jones

Gareth Williams, Local Democracy Reporter

Pressure has been exerted on government ministers to seek funding for a planned EUR 40 million.

With the aim of boosting the UK’s nuclear rebuilding program and the development of small modular and advanced modular reactors, it would create around 30 jobs and add further benefits to the local economy.

With the Island MP urging the Chancellor for responses in the House of Commons this week, the Anglesey Economic Development chief has also expressed disappointment that the UK government’s latest spending review made no indication of upcoming funding.

In a letter to Greg Hands, MP, who heads the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Cllr Carwyn Jones called for clarity as the Welsh and UK Governments are already on the £ 40 million price split principle National Thermal Hydraulic Research and Testing Facility have agreed to shield.

“I have expressed my disappointment that the autumn budget and the Chancellor’s spending review will develop the previously allocated capital contribution of 20 million.

Financing and momentum

“Establishing a state-of-the-art R&D facility would complement the island’s longstanding support for nuclear development.

“The Energy Island program now has the potential, more than ever, to play a significant role in future energy, employment and R&D activities across all energy sources.

“It is very encouraging to see the dynamics behind Rolls Royce and the potential future development of SMR, in fact the company would likely be a potential first customer for such an important national facility.

“There is a real danger if funding and momentum aren’t sustained. We could see the tests for this development taking place in Italy or the US.

“As we stand, the Welsh government is also very supportive and has set up match funding, but we have to accept that this ‘match’ could be lost if the UK government is unwilling to support.

“I have urged the UK Government to reaffirm their commitment to the development and deployment of the National Thermal Hydraulic Research and Testing Facility on Anglesey and to confirm the allocation.”

A spokesman for the Welsh Government said when asked: “We have been working with the UK Government on the proposal for a UK National Thermal Hydraulic Testing Facility (THTF) since 2017.

“We basically approved £ 20 million for the project at the time, which the UK government will fund in equal parts. Both governments are now working on updated business cases to secure contributions to the proposal. “

An artistic impression from 2018 of the national thermal hydraulic system at M-Sparc, Gaerwen. UK Atomic Energy Agency image.

Broader Applications

The UK government’s BEIS division said it had nothing to add, but Ynys Mon MP Virginia Crosbie urged ministers for more details in the House of Commons this week.

During Tuesday’s financial questions, the Conservative member said: “My constituency on the island of Ynys Môn has one of the lowest GVA in the UK and is in dire need of investment to reverse this inequality.

“Can the Chancellor confirm that the match financing announced in the Nuclear Sector Deal exists for the planned thermal-hydraulic test facility?”

In response, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “If my honorable friend will forgive me for not stepping on the Minister of Economic Affairs, but she will know that we have allocated £ 120 million for future nuclear development in the budget and spending review .

“I know that this area is of great interest to her and that she has long been involved in her field and I look forward to assisting her in her discussions with the Secretary of Commerce when he decides on the allocation of these funds.”

It has been suggested that such a facility could be set up as M-Sparc in Gaerwen, although other locations on the island are also being considered.

While the proposed facility would not handle radioactive materials itself, it would house full-scale models to aid in the design of safe and efficient advanced nuclear power systems.

The focus on thermal hydraulics – the movement of heat and fluids in the reactor system when converting nuclear energy to electricity – could also find wider application in non-nuclear thermohydraulic testing.

Based on Anglesey, it would only be one of three worldwide while the others can be found in the US and Italy.

Ms. Crosbie later added: “I fully appreciate the bipartisan support for this project and look forward to our regular meeting this week to take stock.

“The development of a new business case shows that everyone is interested in getting this facility off the ground.

“I worked very hard to find a financing solution for the project, including discussions with the relevant ministers.”