Thumbs up for Wylfa B

    
Horizon Nuclear Power (the joint venture owned by RWE N.power and E.On) will formally announce today that it intends to proceed with making a planning application to build a new nuclear reactor at Wylfa ahead of the other location it owns at Olbury-on-Severn.

Wylfa was chosen to proceed first due to the overwhelming public support on Anglesey and the fact that its proximity to the Irish Sea removes the need to build the large cooling towers which will apparently be necessary at Oldbury-on-Severn.

Today's announcement however doesn't herald the arrival of a fleet of bulldozers heading towards Amlwch. Horizon will not even officially apply for planning permission until 2012 and the new plant would not open until 2020 at the earliest - but still its fantastic news and a much needed boost for Anglesey.

One thing to remember though: this announcement still doesn't meant that Wylfa B is definitely going to happen. As the Druid reported last week, Wylfa B could still be cancelled if there is a hung parliament as the Lib Dems - who will probably hold the balance of power - are implacably opposed to Nuclear energy.

See more from the BBC and The Times.