Non-nuclear technologies are way to safeguard Anglesey economy

As pressure mounts to extend the operation of the ageing Wylfa nuclear power station after 2010 to protect jobs on Anglesey, calls are being made to create new jobs in non-nuclear electricity generating technologies on the island. This would help safeguard jobs at the power-hungry smelter at Anglesey Aluminium and create more jobs in maintenance and manufacture than a new highly automated nuclear power station would create says Friends of the Earth Cymru.

The campaigners say that a combination of energy developments including marine current turbine devices off Anglesey's north coast, and a small combined heat and power (CHP) gas plant at Anglesey Aluminium would ensure security of supply and possibly relatively cheap electricity needed by the smelter. If marine turbine component manufacturing and maintenance facilities were created with Objective One aid and Assembly Government support then the long-term jobs created could readily surpass the jobs created in a new nuclear station.

Friends of the Earth Cymru campaigner Neil Crumpton said:

"Wylfa is likely to be closed down, and its 400 jobs lost, within ten years even if it does get an extension. So now is the time to develop new non-nuclear energy schemes and invest the last round of Objective One aid in developing a manufacturing and maintenance base on the island. This would be the best way to safeguard jobs at Anglesey Aluminium and create new jobs on the island.

"Even if a new nuclear programme were incentivised by Government a highly automated Wylfa B might only employ around 40 people and there are no guarantees that any cheap electricity deals would be cheaper than the alternatives. For example, a combination of marine current turbines off Anglesey's north coast, and a small on-site CHP gas plant at Anglesey Aluminium would provide security of supply to the smelter and plenty of jobs. We advise the public to be wary of anyone implying that nuclear electricity would be cheaper than the alternatives.