From Construction to Decommissioning: Memory, Community and Adaptation at Trawsfynydd Nuclear Power Station, North Wales

The successful opening of Calder Hall nuclear power station  in 1956 showcased the potential peaceful uses of nuclear technology and embodied hope for a cheap and plentiful source of electricity. Nine commercial Magnox reactors were subsequently built across the UK. Building on the existing grid network of hydroelectric power stations in the area, Trawsfynydd nuclear power station (Gwynedd, North Wales) became a major employer in the surrounding area during its construction (1957-1965) and operation, providing stable and skilled jobs to local residents and those who had relocated to work at the site. 

This paper will discuss data collected from interviews with former employees of Trawsfynydd nuclear power station to explore its impact during construction, operation and ongoing decommissioning. It will examine the experiences of working in a new and evolving industry, including provision of training and expectations surrounding job stability, and the requirement to respond to political and global events. 

In 1993 Trawsfynydd became one of the first first nuclear power stations to cease operation, instead becoming one of the UK’s decommissioning prototypes. The shift from energy generation to closure and decommissioning marked a major milestone in the mindset and aims of the site, and as such the effect on the site, workforce and surrounding community will be considered. 

This paper is part of a wider doctoral project, which uses archival, survey, and interview data to apply a values-based approach to the tangible and intangible heritage of UK nuclear power stations, to inform the future heritage management of sites. Key themes from archival and survey data will be applied in conjunction with the interview data to draw on wider themes across the Magnox fleet.