A new nuclear power station for Wylfa – have your say
21 May 2009 
Power Stations / Wales
RWE npower is inviting people to have a say on proposals for a new nuclear power station at Wylfa on the Isle of Anglesey.
The company has nominated land close to the existing Magnox nuclear power station at Wylfa into the Government’s Strategic Siting Assessment (SSA) process. The SSA process aims to identify suitable locations for new nuclear power generation in the UK.
Last month (April 2009) RWE npower announced that, along with its joint venture partner E.ON, it had bought land at Wylfa, as well as at Oldbury in Gloucestershire, in an auction conducted by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
In early June, RWE npower will hold two drop-in information sessions to outline its role in new nuclear development on Anglesey, explain the Government’s SSA process, and listen to local people’s views. Anyone interested in the proposals is being invited to attend the sessions, which are taking place between 12pm and 8pm on Tuesday 2 June 2009 at Bethel Chapel Rooms, High Street, Cemaes and between 12pm and 8pm on Wednesday 3 June 2009 at Cemaes Village Hall, High Street, Cemaes.
The drop-in information sessions follow a similar event in March, which was held prior to the company’s nomination of the site for possible new nuclear development. Around 160 people attended the session.
Alan Smith, nuclear development manager for RWE npower, said: “Developing a new generation of nuclear stations is a long process, with new plants likely to come online at around the end of the next decade.
“We are at a very early stage and are keen to explain how the process will work from here, including a full public consultation programme in the autumn. We’d like to make sure we address any concerns and explain the potential benefits, which will include major economic investment and job creation for Wylfa and the island as a whole.”
He added: “In the meantime, if anyone has any questions, they can leave a message on our dedicated information line on 0845 136 0104 or they can email us at information@rwenpowerwylfa.com and we will respond.”
RWE npower and E.ON UK formed a joint venture for new nuclear development in the UK in January 2009. Its objective is to gain consent for, construct and operate at least 6GW of new nuclear power stations in the UK.
The joint venture benefits from the backing of two companies with extensive experience of operating nuclear power stations and the resources and skills to deliver new nuclear plants. E.ON and RWE have stakes in 20 nuclear power stations around the world. In addition, they already jointly own three nuclear reactors in Germany.
Developing new nuclear power stations requires a substantial investment, and the joint venture, whose name will be announced in the near future, will be able to draw on the stability and balance sheet strength required to support a development programme of this scale.
Separately, RWE npower has also received a grid connection offer for Anglesey, which provides it with the rights to feed 3.6GW of electricity into the national grid. This could see enough low carbon electricity generated on the island to meet the needs of over five million homes.
More information about the Government’s SSA process and on how the public can have a say is available at: www.nuclearpowersiting.decc.gov.uk
Notes to Editors:
• RWE npower is an integrated energy business, generating electricity and supplying gas, electricity and related services to customers across the UK. The company operates and manages flexible, low-cost coal, oil and gas-fired power stations - generating over 10.3GW of electricity.
RWE npower serves around 6.6 million customer accounts and produces more than 10% of the electricity used in England and Wales.
RWE is already a major employer in Wales, operating Aberthaw Power Station near Barry and two Combined Heat and Power plants at Barry and Bridgend as well as three renewables office bases in south, mid and north Wales. npower renewables operates six hydroelectric power projects in North Wales, the UK’s first major offshore wind farm, North Hoyle, off the North Wales coast and seven onshore wind farms from Neath in South Wales to Anglesey in the North. npower renewables is also working with marine energy technology partners to deliver new wave and tidal stream power projects in the UK, including a 10 megawatt (MW) tidal stream energy project at Skerries, Anglesey. In December (2008) npower renewables was granted consent to construct its 750MW Gwynt-y-mor offshore wind farm off the North Wales coast, which will be one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world
In all, RWE supplies the equivalent of around one-third of Wales’ electricity needs and contributes around £50m per year in economic benefits.
RWE npower is proud supporter of the Warm Wales programme, which is working to help households in Neath Port Talbot and Wrexham to become more energy efficient; a crucial step in providing warmer safer homes. Since 2005 the project has led to over 31,000 homes benefiting from energy-efficient measures including new gas heating systems, cavity wall, loft insulation and hot water tank jackets. Over 47,000 free or discounted measures have been installed with a value of over £17 million.
RWE is already planning investments totalling £1bn per year for the next 10 years in the UK in order to help plug the impending energy gap, whilst reducing carbon intensity. In February (2009), the company gained consent from Government to go ahead with a £1bn modern gas-fired power station at Pembroke, which will generate enough power for over two million homes and contribute around £10m per year to the local economy.
• RWE currently operates five nuclear reactors located across three sites in Germany. Together the company’s nuclear plant generates 25 per cent of the annual power produced by its German power station fleet. RWE has more than 45 years’ experience of operating nuclear plant, and managing waste, to the highest safety standards.
RWE’s nuclear stations have served as reference plants for national research and development projects, including research into best practice in the management of safety and risk. The company's record in nuclear operations is recognised world-wide and RWE is an active member of a number of international associations working to improve and enhance the nuclear generation industry.
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