THE MINISTER for North Wales has said that Deeside's shortlisting as a potential site for Rolls Royce's Small Modular Reactors shows the strength of the area's skills and expertise.

Deeside is one of three sites shortlisted for the Rolls Royce SMR factory to produce key components for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and would see the creation of over 200 permanent jobs for the area in addition to an estimated £100 - £200 million value to the region.

Minister for North Wales Lesley Griffiths MS said: “The production of SMRs has the potential to be a key contributor to the low carbon economy, and North Wales is already leading the way through Cwmni Egino.

"I congratulate all those involved in reaching the shortlist, and whatever the final outcome, this in itself shows the very real strengths of the region in this sector.”

Rolls Royce SMR has considered over 100 sites across the UK.

The Heavy Pressure Vessels (HPV) factory will support the production of first-of-a kind SMRs in the UK, with additional potential for worldwide export with the final decision on its location to be taken in the New Year. 

The Welsh Government is committed to developing a low carbon economy and the nuclear sector is seen as key to this ambition.

The sector offers significant economic development opportunities as well as contributing to efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething added: “To reach the shortlist and be considered as one of the final three is a great achievement, and I congratulate the team working on this.  With Cwmni Egino in Trawsfynydd leading work to enable SMRs on the site and facilities such as the AMRC championing advance manufacturing, North Wales does provide the skills and expertise for such a facility. 

“To be featured on this prestigious shortlist is testament to the skills we have in North Wales, and helps further highlight this.”