Wylfa small modular reactor project has moved closer to construction after Great British Energy–Nuclear outlined a £1.1 billion early works package. The procurement covers major enabling works at Wylfa on Ynys Môn, North Wales. These works will prepare the site before construction of the first three Rolls-Royce SMR units.
Importantly, the package shifts the project from strategic planning toward physical construction readiness. It also gives contractors an early view of one of Britain’s largest nuclear construction opportunities. GBE-N has set the package value between £730 million and £1.1 billion.
Wylfa Small Modular Reactor project prepares for construction
The early works package will establish the physical platform for the main reactor construction program. Therefore, contractors will undertake extensive ground and infrastructure activities.
The scope includes site clearance, remediation, species relocation, earthworks and construction utilities. It also covers drainage, haul roads, access infrastructure, buildings and mechanical and electrical services.
Furthermore, the package includes design development from RIBA Stage 4. This approach should help coordinate enabling works with subsequent construction packages.
GBE-N previously considered splitting the early works into separate contracts. However, it now plans one consolidated package to reduce interface risks between interconnected activities.
The proposed contract should run from 2028 until 2034. GBE-N also retains an option that could extend delivery until 2037.
The procurement remains at market-engagement stage rather than final tender. GBE-N expects to publish the formal tender notice in March 2027.
Wylfa Small Modular Reactor project builds supply chain momentum
The early works package also strengthens opportunities for Britain’s construction supply chain. GBE-N has indicated that the work could suit small and medium-sized businesses.
That opportunity covers groundworks, environmental services, and infrastructure, utilities, building and engineering activities. Consequently, regional contractors could access the wider nuclear construction supply chain through specialist packages.
The program already has substantial domestic participation. GBE-N said in June that it had awarded almost £900m in contracts since 2023. More than 70% of that value went to UK-registered companies.
The wider Wylfa program will deliver three Rolls-Royce SMR units. Together, they should provide at least 1.4GW of low-carbon electricity.
Each reactor should provide enough electricity for roughly one million homes. The units should also operate for more than 60 years.
GBE-N signed its technology contract with Rolls-Royce SMR in April 2026. That agreement enables site-specific design and preparations for construction at Wylfa.
Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce SMR has continued strengthening the project’s manufacturing supply chain. It selected Škoda JS and Doosan Enerbility for key nuclear island components.
Siemens Energy will also manufacture turbine system components for the Wylfa program. The Newcastle facility will support more than 550 jobs through the work.
The project has also adopted the name Gwyndod Power Station. Local young people helped select the name through a community-led process.
The former Wylfa nuclear station stopped generating electricity in 2015. The new development therefore represents a major construction-led return of nuclear generation to Anglesey.
The early works package now provides a clearer route toward that objective. However, GBE-N continues to treat the value, program and scope as indicative.
The Wylfa development also highlights the wider UK nuclear construction pipeline, including projects focused on decommissioning and site remediation. For further context, read our coverage of the delivery partners named for the clean-up of West Cumbria’s nuclear site, which examines another major nuclear-sector construction programme in the UK.
Project Fact Sheet
Project: Wylfa Small Modular Reactor Project
New power station name: Gwyndod Power Station
Location: Wylfa, Ynys Môn, North Wales, United Kingdom
Development type: Small Modular Reactor nuclear power station
Reactor technology: Rolls-Royce SMR
Initial reactor units: Three
Planned generation capacity: At least 1.4GW
Early works package: £730 million to £1.1 billion
Core early works period: 2028–2034
Potential contract extension: Up to 2037
Formal tender notice: Expected March 2027
Early works scope: Civils, infrastructure, buildings, MEP and earthworks
Site preparation: Clearance, remediation, species relocation and earthworks
Infrastructure works: Haul roads, drainage, access and construction utilities
Design scope: RIBA Stage 4 design development
Main technology contract: Signed in April 2026
Expected peak construction employment: Around 3,000 jobs
Wider power output: Equivalent to approximately three million homes
Reactor operating life: More than 60 years
Program status: Early works market engagement
Delivery model: Consolidated early works package
Project owner: Great British Energy–Nuclear
Technology partner: Rolls-Royce SMR
Regulatory oversight: UK nuclear regulatory framework
Site significance: UK’s first SMR project
Project Team
Owner: Great British Energy–Nuclear (GBE-N)
Technology partner: Rolls-Royce SMR
Nuclear component suppliers: Škoda JS and Doosan Enerbility
Turbine systems partner: Siemens Energy
Local authority partner: Isle of Anglesey County Council
Government department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Nuclear regulator: Office for Nuclear Regulation
Electricity regulator: Ofgem
Supply chain program: Great British Energy–Nuclear
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