Last Energy And GMB To Promote Nuclear Industry Jobs In South Wales

‍London, United Kingdom — Last Energy, a Washington, D.C.-based micro-nuclear technology developer, today announced a joint effort with GMB, the UK and Ireland’s energy union,to advance the microreactor industry and nuclear workforce development in the UK. 

Through this new collaboration, the organisations will explore opportunities to increase investment in the micronuclear supply chain, identify necessary skills and training programs, and create good-quality jobs in the microreactor industry throughout the UK.  

The joint effort will directly support the future workforce of Last Energy’s South Wales project. In October 2024, Last Energy announced a proposal to deploy four 20 MWe micro-nuclear power plants at the site of the former coal fired power station at Llynfi, Llangynwyd, Bridgend. The project is expected to create at least 100 local full-time jobs over its 42 year life.

“Microreactors will not only create nuclear industry jobs, they will bolster new industry in South Wales with clean, abundant baseload power,” said Michael Jenner, CEO of Last Energy UK, a subsidiary of Last Energy. “The future Last Energy workforce will include nuclear engineers, plant operators, and other skilled technicians, and we are happy to be working together with GMB to advocate on their behalf.”

Tom Hoyles, GMB Union Senior organiser, said the following:

“New nuclear has the potential to create thousands of well paid union jobs in places like South Wales and it’s important that businesses, unions, the Welsh and UK governments work together to maximize its potential.

“There is no route to net zero without new nuclear, and projects like Lyfni by Last energy are a practical and innovative step forward to meeting the UKs energy needs. GMB is excited to be involved in this world leading project here in South Wales."

Last Energy hosted two industry supplier events in November 2024 to introduce local suppliers to the company’s procurement processes. The company is also conducting public consultation events to solicit feedback from communities and suppliers near the Llynfi Clean Energy Project site. Details on upcoming events can be found at https://www.cleanenergyllynfi.wales/events. 

For further information, please contact media@cleanenergyllynfi.wales. 

The official name for this project, being developed by Last Energy UK Limited, is Prosiect Egni Glan Llynfi. 

‍About Last Energy: Founded in 2019, Last Energy is an American micro-nuclear technology developer on a mission to unlock energy access by transforming nuclear plants from complex construction projects into a mass-manufacturable product. Last Energy’s PWR-20 produces 20 MWe, is fully modular, and designed for flexible siting, plug-and-play installation, and rapid scalability. By productizing nuclear energy, Last Energy is transforming power generation for data centers, manufacturers, and other industrial customers throughout the United States and Europe.