AM: Diolch Llywydd.
Minister, when I was a member of the Economy, Infrastructure and
Skills Committee, we visited Trawsfynydd, where we learned about
the decommissioning of the nuclear power station. At that time,
there were discussions about the possibility of the site being used
for the emerging small modular nuclear reactors. Has the Minister
explored this option in any way?
(Minister for Economy
and Transport): Yes, I have. I'm really excited about
the potential of Trawsfynydd as an area that could be used to
develop and support small modular reactors. I'm not alone in
this. The North Wales Economic Ambition Board shares the
determination to examine all opportunities for Trawsfynydd, and
that's why, within the north Wales growth deal, there is an
access to the smart energy programme, which is designed to
promote renewable forms of energy and the potential of SMRs in
that particular area of north Wales.
AM: Okay. I thank the
Minister for his answer. I'm given to understand that Rolls-Royce
are at the forefront of this type of technology. As such, a
development at Trawsfynydd could benefit British industry as a
whole. I'm also given to believe that much of the grid
infrastructure linking to the national grid system is still in
place at Trawsfynydd. So, given the local expertise and general
disposition in the area to nuclear power, Trawsfynydd would
surely be an ideal location for the emerging technology. It also
falls into the Welsh Government's overall decarbonisation
programme, and such an installation would also help alleviate the
anticipated extra demand on the electricity infrastructure, which
the advent of the electric motor car will inevitably put on the
electricity industry as a whole. This should—and given some of
the adverse decisions with regard to Wales over recent times, I
emphasise 'should'—make the UK Government more amenable to such a
development. So, would the Cabinet Secretary give serious thought
to promoting this industry-leading project to Trawsfynydd?
: Yes, I will indeed. In
fact, I'm pleased to say that I've met with Rolls-Royce to
discuss this very issue directly in relation to Trawsfynydd and
so too have members of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board,
and I think it's worth telling Members today that energy features
as one of three primary strengths of the north Wales regional
economy within the economic ambition board's vision for the
region. It also forms one of the four key enablers within the
north Wales growth deal. So, I can assure the Member that, not
just within Welsh Government, but regionally across the local
authorities and collectively as the new regional unit, we are
well aware of the potential of energy in north Wales, very
supportive of it, not just of SMRs, but also, crucially, I think,
of the renewable energy sector, where there is enormous strength
and expertise in north Wales, and that's why that is included as
such a crucial component of the north Wales growth deal.
