The UK and Welsh Governments will be asked to provide £20 million each to help Anglesey’s economy in the wake of the suspension of Wylfa Newydd.

Both governments have allocated £120 million to set up the North Wales Growth Deal, which is led by north Wales’ six local authorities in partnership with the region’s colleges and universities and North Wales and Mersey Dee Business Council.

But following the suspension of the £20bn nuclear project, the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB) is now seeking an extra £40m to prioritise projects that addresses the particular challenges faced on Anglesey.

The projects earmarked to be brought forward are those described as having “a direct economic and employment impact on north Anglesey” , including the Holyhead Gateway project, Morlais and the proposed Nuclear Centre of Excellence.

The leader of Anglesey Council, Cllr Llinos Medi, told a meeting of Westminster’s Welsh Affairs Committee last week that the Welsh Government has already pledged to match any additional contributions from London.

“A decision has been taken by the North Wales Economic Ambition Board that we would prioritise the projects coming to Anglesey because of the Wylfa Newydd developments,” she said.

“We’re asking the Westminster Government for an additional £20m and the Welsh Government have already said they would match that.

“It’s important that we don’t slow down the progress of the growth bid because any slow down could see us lose the private sector, which is ready to go on some of these projects.

According to the board, the £80m Holyhead Gateway project would create 2,200 construction jobs and another 1,250 when fully up and running.

The scheme would provide new deep water heavy loading and cruise facilities as well as improved vehicular access, guaranteeing the future of the

breakwater and providing for the demands of regional energy projects, with Stena set to provide £45m towards the overall costs.

The £118m Nuclear Centre of Excellence, led by Bangor University, would research Small Module Reactor (SMR) and Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) technologies.

Expected to generate around 150 jobs, it’s envisaged it would cement north Wales’ reputation as the best location in the UK for future nuclear investment.

A further £68.974m, meanwhile, is earmarked to connect the proposed Morlais tidal energy scheme to connect the sea bed to a point of connection to grid near Holyhead.

The zone, off the coast of Holy Island,  extends to 35km2 of sea bed and can

accommodate up to 240MW of tidal stream generation – creating 329 construction and 165 long term jobs.

According to Anglesey Council’s Head of Regulation and Economic Development, Dylan Williams, 18% of jobs based in northern Anglesey are wholly dependant on the nuclear industry.

But with Magnox currently decommissioning the Wylfa plant and staff numbers continuing to dwindle, and Horizon slashing their local workforce from 67 to only a handful, the need for replacement work was emphasised.

“The average wage on Anglesey is £24,000 but when it comes to Wylfa and other similar sites you’re up to almost £40,000,” he added.

“So in terms of disposable income, the gap between the industry and most others are significant, and may explain why most apprentices are continuing to pursue a career in the industry.”

In regards to the “gap” until a new nuclear project is developed, he went on to say: “We’re confident that everyone who loses their jobs will find alternative employment, but unfortunately some may have to leave the area, which is disappointing.

“If we use this time to invest in people, businesses and infrastructure, then the island and wider region will be in a stronger position to benefit from the project when it eventually gets underway.”

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has been approached for comment.