An executive leading the roll out of mini-nuclear plants in the UK has welcomed the appointment of an industry veteran tasked with helping to regenerate a North Wales nuclear site.
The Welsh Government wants to regenerate the Trawsfynydd site in Gwynedd as a potential location for small modular reactors(SMRs) and other ventures like a research reactor producing vital medical isotopes.
Economy Minister Vaughan Gething announced that Alan Raymant, chief operating officer for Horizon Nuclear Power between 2009 and 2016, had been appointed as the longer term chief executive for Cwmni Egino, which has been set up to lead the regeneration of the Trawsfynyd site.
READ MORE: Second home and holiday let rules are changing in Wales
It comes as Rolls-Royce SMR is hoping to secure a number of sites for the roll out of a fleet of SMRs with potential locations at existing nuclear sites across the country, such as Trawsfynydd and Wylfa on Anglesey.
They lead a consortium backed by millions of pounds in UK Government funding that hopes to develop the technology.
Rolls-Royce SMR CEO Tom Samson says the appointment of Alan Raymant will help in the drive to get an SMR at Trawsfynydd.
Mr Samson added: “I’d like to congratulate Cwmni Egino and Alan Raymant on his appointment as Chief Executive. Alan’s unrivalled experience of nuclear new build in North Wales makes him the ideal person to lead this important organisation in its mission to regenerate the iconic Trawsfynydd site.
“Rolls-Royce SMR is eager to move at pace towards the goal of deploying a fleet of SMRs and we see an opportunity to work collaboratively with Cwmni Egino, to deliver affordable, low carbon electricity – helping meet future energy demands, reach our net zero targets and provide high skilled long term jobs.”
Mr Raymant was most recently the CEO on the Bradwell B project in Essex.
Mr Gething said: "He brings a wealth of experience and is a highly regarded executive within the sector.”
The project by a consortium led by Rolls-Royce aims to build five £2bn small modular reactors by 2031, and then another eleven in the years that follow, each with the capacity to power 1.3m homes.
Uk Government has pledged £210m towards development - matched by private sector funding of over £250M.
