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Interest in the controversial proposed nuclear power plant in the Llynfi Valley is gaining weight with regional and national press and online media starting to share information about the plans and our view on the project.

Latest to pick the story up are:

Wales Online

Nation Cymru

Oggy Bloggy Ogwr

Camarthenshire News Online

The post Media coverage of the proposed Llynfi Valley nuclear power plant grows appeared first on Bridgend Green Party.

An image of Last Energy’s project, Prosiect Egni Glan Llynfi. Credit: Last Energy.

Nation Cymru has posted an article to inform readers about the proposed Last Energy nuclear power plant in the Llynfi Valley. Here it is…
(Journalist – Martin Shipton, link to original article here)

Opposition to a proposed nuclear energy plant in Bridgend is mounting, with the local Green Party saying it is “unnecessary, unwanted and unsafe”.

But doubts about the proposal come as Keir Starmer confirmed that the UK Government intends to change the planning system to make it easier for such projects to go ahead.

An American-owned company called Last Energy intends to build the SMR (small modular reactor) plant next to the River Llynfi, just to the north of Bridgend.

The Green Party argues that If the development goes ahead, it will be funded by venture capitalists who are not likely to be citizens of Wales. The nuclear power plant will operate for profit, as a private enterprise.

A party spokesperson said: “It is based on a new design which if built will be the first of its kind. So the design is untested in the real world. Locals, including Green Party members, have several credible reasons for concern.

“The Green Party questions the need for a nuclear power plant, when Wales has the natural resources required to produce all its energy from a mixture of solar power, onshore and off-shore wind generation.

“It is true that people need secure energy supplies which can be quickly restored, and that Wales needs investment in improving the grid infrastructure. But nuclear power is not the solution to Wales’ energy needs.

“As was proved in the December 2024 storm, we desperately need improvements to our energy resilience – such as the ability to restore power after severe climate events, and this should be the focus of any energy investment.

“Do locals want a nuclear power plant in Bridgend? Last Energy has hosted two community consultations, one in Bettws and one in Pencoed. Debra Cooper, the Green Party Chair for Bridgend, attended both events and asked how the locals had been invited to these meetings, given that many were unaware that they were taking place.

“The speaker gave a vague reply that Facebook had been used, and that Last Energy had outsourced the invitations. More consultation events are planned, and we demand that Last Energy genuinely seeks to invite the community to their consultations.

“Is nuclear power safe? The risk of nuclear leaks from the onsite nuclear waste storage is not acceptable.

“Who will pay for future nuclear waste storage? There is a risk that no other region of the UK will be willing to store the nuclear waste, and that this area will become a long term nuclear waste storage site. The consequences of accidental leakage and terrorist targeting have not been fully considered.”

Brian Jones, CND Cymru Vice Chair, said: “Last Energy, despite having never built a nuclear reactor, is proposing to build four nuclear reactors near Bridgend which, like all nuclear reactors, will produce nuclear waste which needs to be safely contained and monitored for thousands of

years. Nuclear power stations have consistently cost more and taken longer to build than originally proposed.”

Tony Cooke, who leads on Wales energy policy development for the Green Party, said: “Green Party policy is clearly opposed to any new nuclear power stations. The developers haven’t actually built any to their proposed design and they don’t have a design licensed by the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation which would be required.  Their website claims more than 300 are operating globally – but this is misleading – there are more than 300 pressurised water reactors), but PWR refers to a generic ‘family’ approach to design – not a specific one.  Licensing is not likely to be quick.  (years not months)

“The developers are presumably targeting an ex coal fired power station site because it has a now unused grid connection. These are valuable, given the time lag in getting new grid connections.  The site should be prioritised for battery storage, which is needed and complements renewable generation.  Because of the small scale of the proposal it is in the powers of the local authority to reject it.  We should lobby for them to do so.”

Richard Outram, secretary of the Britain / Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities group said:  “Nuclear energy can never be 100% safe and is never ‘clean’ whatever the industry claims. Last Energy has a long way to go before securing the necessary regulatory or planning approvals to begin its project by 2027. The Office for Nuclear Regulation said this was ‘very ambitious’. And Last Energy does not even appear to have any working reactors – just mock ups! Nuclear at Bridgend would be more Lost Energy – renewables are the future.”

Last Energy says it hopes the pressurised water reactors will supply power to “mid-size manufacturers throughout the region, providing 24/7 baseload power and putting the local economy on a path toward industrial decarbonisation”.

It says the project will not need taxpayer cash, with the company estimating it would be making a £300m investment, £30m of which would benefit the local economy, excluding business rates collected by Bridgend County Borough Council. It also expects to create at least 100 local full-time jobs.

Last Energy UK CEO Michael Jenner said: “Last Energy’s Llynfi project will not only transform a vacant coal site into a hub for clean energy production, it will also create economic opportunity for companies throughout South Wales.

“The benefits of nuclear power speak for themselves, so our focus must be on delivering those benefits on time and on budget. Last Energy’s emphasis on mass-manufacturability allows us to deliver significantly smaller plants in under 24 months with purely private financing.

“We look forward to engaging with the public, meeting local suppliers, and being an active partner in south Wales’ path towards energy security and industrial decarbonisation.”

In June 2024, Last Energy announced it was working with Nato to research opportunities for the future deployment of micro-nuclear power technologies at military installations.

The partnership between Last Energy and Nato Energy Security Centre of Excellence (Ensec Coe) will see the two parties research military applications for the micro-reactors and look into potential deployment.

In October 2024, independent nuclear experts told New Civil Engineer magazine that SMRs could be used to produce weapons-grade material, but various practical, legal and moral challenges made this unlikely to be done in reality.

On February 6 Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to “build baby build”, as he announced plans to make it easier to construct mini nuclear power stations in England and Wales.

He told the BBC the government was going to “take on the blockers” and change planning rules so new reactors could be built in more parts of the country.

Sir Keir said he wanted the country to return to being “one of the world leaders on nuclear”, helping to create thousands of highly skilled jobs and boosting economic growth.

The post Nation Cymru article on the planned Llynfi Valley nuclear plant appeared first on Bridgend Green Party.

Bridgend Green Party are concerned that an American owned company who call themselves Last Energy are planning to build a nuclear power plant next to the River Llynfi, just to the north of Bridgend. If this development goes ahead, it will be funded by venture capitalists who are not likely to be citizens of Wales. The nuclear power plant will operate for profit, as a private enterprise. This is a new design which if built will be the first of its kind. So the design is untested in the real world. Locals, including local Green Party members have several credible reasons for concern.

The Green Party questions the need for a nuclear power plant, when Wales has the natural resources required to produce all its energy from a mixture of solar power, onshore and off-shore wind generation. It is true that people need secure energy supplies which can be quickly restored, and that Wales needs investment in improving the GRID infrastructure. Nuclear power is not the solution to Wales’ energy needs. As was proved in the December 2024 storm, we desperately need improvements to our energy resilience – such as the ability to restore power after severe climate events, and this should be the focus of any energy investment.

Do locals want a nuclear power plant in Bridgend? Last Energy have hosted two community consultations, one in Bettws and one in Pencoed. Debra Cooper, Green Party Chair for Bridgend attended both events and  asked how the locals had been invited to these meetings, given that many locals were unaware that these meetings were taking place. The speaker gave a vague reply that Facebook had been used, and that Last Energy had outsourced the invitations. More consultation events are planned, and we demand that Last Energy genuinely seeks to invite the community to their consultations.

Is nuclear power safe? The risk of nuclear leaks, from the onsite nuclear waste storage is not acceptable. Who will pay for future nuclear waste storage? There is a risk that no other region of the UK will be willing to store the nuclear waste, and that this area will become a long term nuclear waste storage site. The consequences of accidental leakage and terrorist targeting has not been fully considered.

Brian Jones, CND Cymru Vice Chair had this to say about the nuclear power company:

“Last Energy, despite having never built a nuclear reactor, is proposing to build 4 nuclear reactors near Bridgend which, like all nuclear reactors, will produce nuclear waste which needs to be safely contained and monitored for thousands of years. Nuclear power stations have consistently cost more and taken longer to build than originally proposed; Hinkley Point C was estimated to cost £18 billion and generate electricity in 2025, but is now estimated to cost over £40 billion and won’t be finished until at least 2030. At the same time, the cost of renewable energy continues to fall, and renewables are much quicker to install than nuclear power” 

How would a nuclear energy plant benefit the people of Wales?

The Green Party View:

This development, if it goes ahead, will not benefit local people. Local people expect decent employment opportunities, and a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. Last Energy instead has offered to support food banks. This is poor compensation for this development . The Green Party campaigns to end the need for food banks, for a time when people earn a reliable, regular wage which in turn raises society out of the need to resort to a food bank to feed our children.

Bridgend Green Party promotes a transition towards justice. for fair working practices, with green jobs, local food suppliers, small scale locally owned energy companies and sustainable business developments.

Debra Cooper, Bridgend Green Party, along with members of CND, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and Sustainable Wales have attended events organised by Last Energy, which the company described as public consultations. However, it remains unclear why many locals were not aware that the consultations in Bettws and Pencoed were taking place. Debra Cooper raised concerns about how Last Energy advertised these consultation events, and has demanded that Last Energy must improve their communication with local people. 

Debra Cooper says “Green Party policy is clear, and without a shadow of doubt. We do not support Nuclear power or the production of nuclear weapons. We are absolutely against the development of a nuclear power station in the Llynfi Valley. We regret that any project of this nature is even considered as a viable energy supplier, and the stress it has inevitably put on local people.” 

In order to progress past the earliest stage developers must consult and have the support of the local people of Bridgend County Borough. Safety must not be compromised. 

Any new energy developments must involve consulting the local people at the earliest point. It is inevitable that Wales will have to increase the Grid capacity, and develop Green Energy projects. Bridgend Green Party demands that local people are properly involved in coproducing the solution based policies that will bring the necessary benefits to Wales as a whole. 

Nuclear Power? The Green Party rejects all forms of nuclear development. Nuclear waste is not the legacy that we should bequeath to our children. 

You can download the press release as a PDF here…

The post Press Release regarding the proposed Nuclear Energy plant in the Llynfi Valley appeared first on Bridgend Green Party.

The post Video: Green Left, OPEN MEETING ON ‘DISABILITY’ 13TH NOVEMBER 2024 appeared first on Bridgend Green Party.

I’m attending an event called How do we clean up our rivers? on Thursday 7 November at 6pm GMT.

Our rivers are contaminated by a filthy cocktail of sewage, agricultural runoff and road pollution. How do we clean them up? Join this timely Nature Action Now event to hear Ellie Chowns MP, peer Jenny Jones, James Wallace, CEO Nature Action Now and Green councillor Matthew Bird discuss how to fix the mess. The panel discussion will be followed by a Q+A with the audience. SIGN UP NOW

Can you join me? Click here for details and to RSVP: 
https://actionnetwork.org/events/how-do-we-clean-up-our-rivers?source=email&

Thanks!

Debra Cooper

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Tom Beedle is one of our well respected and talented Green Party members, who is committed to supporting his local community. 

The post Proflie: Green Community Councillor Tom Beedle appeared first on Bridgend Green Party.

We’d love to see you again to help clean up our beach.

Just bring yourself and we’ll provide the pickers and tubs.

The post Event: Porthcawl Beach Clean, Sunday October 6th appeared first on Bridgend Green Party.

The independently organised event, licensed by TED, will feature local speakers and TED Talks videos under the theme of ‘How Green are our Valleys?’.

Launched in 2009, TEDx is programme of locally organized events that bring the community together to share a TED-like experience. Some of the best talks from TEDx events have gone on to be featured on TED.com and garnered millions of views from audiences across the globe.

TEDxNantymoel is a locally organised event, which aims to give a voice to local people and celebrate those within the community with ideas worth sharing. TEDxNantymoel are excited to be holding the event at the Mem Community Centre, which is an amazing local hub and space for people to meet and relax.

Announcing the speakers, lead organiser of TEDxNantymoel, Andy Caress, said:
“I’m excited to bring together such an inspirational and passionate group of people to share their stores and ideas with the community. The audience will hear talks on a wide variety of topics, all based around the colour or theme of ‘green’. This theme opens the doors for so many fascinating perspectives, whether the link is related to the environment, feeling ‘green with envy’ or ‘green around the gills’, signalling fresh beginnings or new growth, or been given the ‘green light’ to develop a new skill for instance, we’re confident there will be something to enthuse and enlighten everyone to attends.”

Light refreshments will be provided – please get in touch for any allergy information when booking.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

• TEDxNantymoel website
• Event Facebook page
• Awen website
• Booking form

The post Event: TEDxNantymoel – How Green are Our Valleys? appeared first on Bridgend Green Party.

The aim of Coffee and Climate is to draw attention to the threat that climate change is making to the coffee producers now and is likely to make to us all, as up to half the world’s land used to produce coffee could become unusable! Thus, a direct threat to business and all Wales’ coffee bars! (Coffee is not the only food under threat). The film also advocates buying fairtrade brands, which provide a minimum price, an extra premium to support and maintain the farmer’s livelihoods, helping them adapt and tackle climate change. It is also a challenge to big business and wealthy countries who have produced the problem to get to grips to reduce these emissions.

Click here to find out more about Sustainable Wales

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