Shadow Energy Secretary pledges protection for Wylfa nuclear project

Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie has committed to safeguarding Great British Energy Nuclear projects, specifically the Wylfa small modular reactor scheme, from any potential reduction in public energy assets by a future Conservative government. Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference, Bowie sought to distinguish his party’s approach from the more radical stance adopted by Reform UK, which has pledged to dismantle renewable energy contracts. He clarified that while the party holds scepticism towards the broader GB Energy entity, this does not extend to nuclear initiatives.

Bowie explicitly stated that the Wylfa project in North Wales is protected and that the Conservatives intend to continue investing in small modular reactor technology. The scheme, also known as Gwyndodd, has already secured £2.3 billion in government funding to select Rolls-Royce for the delivery of a 1.4 gigawatt ambition. Additionally, the project has procured £900 million in contracts to deliver the first small modular reactor in the United Kingdom. Bowie emphasised that the Conservative Party would not disrupt projects currently underway or invalidate signed agreements, directly contrasting their position with the rhetoric of Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice.

Tice previously sent letters to major energy companies, including Octopus Energy, Centrica, RWE, SSE Renewables, Orsted, Scottish Power, Equinor, and Vattenfall, warning them of political risks associated with participating in the seventh Contracts for Difference allocation round. The correspondence argued that the renewables agenda no longer enjoys cross-party support, thereby creating significant financial and regulatory risks for shareholders. Although both the Conservatives and Reform have committed to repealing the Climate Change Act, Bowie positioned his party as a provider of certainty and stability for the business community, distancing the Conservatives from the wider policy platform of Reform.

These assurances come amid Bowie’s outline of plans to dismantle GB Energy, the publicly funded company established by former energy secretary Ed Miliband and expanded by Miatta Fahnbulleh under the Burnham government. The entity now includes GB Grid, a proposal set out by Burnham during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. Burnham argued that Britain’s electricity network requires improvement, citing business complaints regarding grid connection delays. He contended that these issues increase costs, hinder growth, and hold back the nation. His ambition to challenge private sector operators aims to increase competition, reduce costs, and accelerate connection times, a move that contrasts with the Conservative commitment to maintaining existing nuclear infrastructure.