A nuclear site in Gwynedd has received a major jobs boost.
Trawsfynydd has been selected to lead on Magnox’s reactor decommissioning project in the 海角视频.
This could see decommissioning work brought forward in a move that may secure employment in the area for the next two decades.
Trawsfynydd stopped operating in 1993 and the numbers employed at the site currently number around 200 but were set to fall as decommissioning is placed on hold.
Following a review of the historical strategy of deferring decommissioning at all Magnox reactor sites, the NDA and Magnox announced their intent to bring forward reactor decommissioning at Trawsfynydd Site.
Angharad Rayner, Trawsfynydd Site Director, said: “This is really good news that can secure employment for the next two decades and could lead to further opportunities for local people in the future.
"The opportunity to remove the reactors down to the ground is an exhilarating prospect that will be part of a technological showcase to fully decommission the first civil nuclear reactor in the 海角视频.”
It is early days in the planning stages but they envisage a programme of twenty years to deliver three main phases.
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1: Remove the reactor building’s concrete panel outer shell down to ground level;
2: Increase the height of the inner walls to gain leverage to access the reactor, remove the six 1,000 tonne boilers stored in sections and the 45 tonne overhead crane from each reactor for off-site disposal and remove the reactors, their components and the reactor core;
3: Demolish the remaining reactor buildings and cap their footprint in accordance with planning consent requirements and finally landscape.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority said: "Trawsfynydd Site has been chosen as the site to lead Magnox’s reactor decommissioning project, following a strategic decision by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
"This will help secure employment in the area for the next two decades and could lead to further opportunities for local people.
“The new skills and learning gained from the revised programme at Trawsfynydd will be used to inform the decommissioning and hazard reduction work across the Magnox sites and the whole of the NDA group - sharing best practice and delivering value for the 海角视频 taxpayer.”
Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts said: "I'm told the number of posts on site is expected to increase to around 250 during 2021.
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"Every effort should be made to ensure local people can continue to benefit from these opportunities.
"Presently 97% of the workforce live in North Wales, and 85% of Pŵerdy Trawsfynydd workers are Welsh speakers.
"I understand that the 海角视频 government has given the go-ahead for today’s announcement and I look forward to working with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, site managers and local stakeholders to bring forward the final business case by March next year."
Minister for Economy and North Wales Ken Skates said: “The announcement from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority about Trawsfynydd is good news for the region.
"It has the potential to safeguard existing jobs for longer and will confirm Trawsfynydd as a centre of excellence in this field.
"We will now wait for further details and the business case, and we look forward to working with all parties on this exciting project.”