WORK FOR THE ISLAND

For financial and technical reasons, it now looks less likely than ever that there will be a replacement nuclear station for Wylfa on Anglesey. The island, however, is blessed with resources – physical and human – second to none, and they now need to be used effectively to create a confident future for the population of the island.

Far from being a depressing picture, with a little imagination the situation on the island could be transformed into a focus for green energy with the generation of a considerable number of jobs as a result. We now need a vision that offers a positive direction for such a campaign.

For example, in Germany today 250,000 people are employed in the renewable energy industry compared with just 25,000 in Britain. In Germany, 12% of electricity comes from renewables compared with 4.6% here. Why the difference – the lack of appropriate policies !!

In addition to the possibilities in relation to renewable energy, other opportunities exist to create employment on the island. In Ireland today, 100,000 people are employed in the ITC sector. Extrapolated to the population of Ynys Mon, one would expect 1,750 similar jobs here. Figures for the industry here are not available but the opportunities are few. Why the difference – the lack of appropriate policies !!

Below, there is a summary of what is feasible as a practical strategy for employment on the island

• Decommissioning of Wylfa up to 2020 – employment for 500 for 12-15 years. This figure is based on the experience of Trawsfynydd and, as such, gives a lengthy period and a clear opportunity to establish the foundations of a new economy
• Programme to conserve 20% of energy usage (administration, marketing, contracting and maintenance) – work for 95
• Tidal current energy, a rich source around the island. The company Marine Current Turbines Ltd. estimates that at least 250MW could be created annually – enough to meet the needs of Anglesey
• Aluminium and more (production, operation, maintenance) – work for 50
• Wave energy – (operational, maintenance) – work for 20
• Wind turbines at sea (operational, maintenance) – work for 20
• Bio-mass – a small 20MW unit (fuel production, operational, maintenance) – work for 20
• Solar energy – Photo-voltaic cells (production, installation, maintenance) – work for 150 initially increasing as the market develops in other areas
• Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) – a storage depot in Amlwch with either a gas-fired station at Wylfa or on a smaller scale at Penrhos for Anglesey Aluminium – work for between 20-100 depending on the station`s size

Therefore, approximately 400 jobs in the renewable energy industry. This compares with the 150 jobs – direct and indirect – that we can expect with any new nuclear station at Wylfa as the new generation of stations will require a far smaller workforce than previously.

What about other opportunities for work on the island ?

• Mention has already been made of the Information Technology and Communication sector – work for 1750
• Food and food processing. With the island having a `green` and `organic` image, we must take advantage of this. Development of the agricultural cooperative model – work for 75
• Sea-based enterprises – again a healthy foods image – work for 50
• Cultural tourism – promotion of the industry overseas; according to ECTARC 90% of Germans visit Wales because of its culture – work for 50
• Craft industry – further promotion of the industry – work for 50

Another 2025 jobs approximately

In considering the various options for job creation, it can be seen that employment on the island can be developed considerably. If the above opportunities were implemented over 2,400 additional jobs would be created so ensuring 2,250 more than any proposal based on Wylfa B

Further, if one considers that the island`s population fell from 68,175 in 1991 to 66,829 in 2001, it is seen that this level of employment is urgently needed if the depopulation trend is to be reversed, something that Wylfa has failed to do let alone Wylfa B could do with its smaller demands for a workforce.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT POLICY IS NOT PERCEIVED TO BE A PROBLEM BUT RATHER AN EXCITING CHALLENGE THAT CAN ENSURE THAT THE ISLAND NOT ONLY CREATES APPROPRIATE EMPLOYMENT FOR ITS PEOPLE BUT ALSO PLACES IT IN THE VANGUARD OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT GLOBAL WARMING