'We need nuclear... at least it's not solar panels turning Anglesey black'

ISLANDERS TELL US WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT PLANS FOR MINI NUCLEAR REACTORS

- By DAVID POWELL

THE major announcement by the Welsh and UK governments on Thursday that three small modular reactors (SMRs) would be built at the former Wylfa nuclear plant sparked genuine excitement on Anglesey and beyond.

The three SMRs (eight could be built eventually) would create 3,000 jobs in the construction and operation phases, and power thousands of homes. A plan for an artificial intelligence 'growth zone' in Holyhead, which was also unveiled, would generate a further 3,500 jobs, said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Even more would come on line afterwards as the sites would be a "magnet" for investment, said the PM. First Minister Eluned Morgan called it a "double win".

Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, said more than 10,000 jobs could be created in time.

In Cemaes, one woman - who asked not to be named - welcomed the new jobs at Wylfa and hoped workers would prosper there as much as her dad had.

She said: "My dad worked at Wylfa as a mechanical fitter for 35 years until he retired. He enjoyed it so much he went back for the outage (decommissioning). He had the knowledge. He's 83 now."