Politicians, business leaders and local government officials came together at the Northern Nuclear Conference, held in Carlisle.
The event, held at Carlisle Racecourse was hosted by Carlisle MP John Stevenson, and featured guest speakers including the Minister for Nuclear, Andrew Bowie.
Mr Bowie spoke of the Government’s commitment to further investment and support for the nuclear sector in Cumbria.
“This Government is investing at pace and at scale in a range of nuclear projects, including the development of Small Module Reactors (SMRs).
“There is a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement for the nuclear industry in this Conservative government.
“Nuclear has a key role to play in achieving our target of net zero, and that’s why I am delighted to be in Cumbria today,” said Mr Bowie.
Alan Wood, director of strategy and business development for Rolls-Royce spoke about the benefits of SMRs to the nuclear industry in Cumbria.
Rolls-Royce is leading the development of SMR technology that will be a key factor in the continued growth of the nuclear sector in Cumbria.
“SMRs are smaller than larger plants and this has many advantages, including lower costs, they’re easier to build and they deliver a factory-made product that has a significantly lower carbon footprint.
“Using SMRs saves time and money and doesn’t impact the environment in the way large reactor sites do. The Government has recognised this by policy commitments and recognises the vital role SMRs will play in achieving environmental targets.
“I also think the public perception towards nuclear energy has changed – Cumbria is a fine example of the benefits that the nuclear industry brings to local communities,” said Mr Wood.
The nuclear industry employs 27,000 people in Cumbria, many of them in West Cumbria.
Copeland MP Trudy Harrison reiterated Mr Bowie’s comments about the Government’s support for the growth of nuclear industries in Cumbria.
“The reason we’re having this conference is because of the Government’s support for nuclear, and our commitment to Cumbria being at the forefront of nuclear energy strategy in the UK.
“We need a combination of different technology, and we have them all here in Cumbria – wind, tidal, but nothing beats nuclear and nowhere proves that more than West Cumbria,” said Mrs Harrison.
The conference aimed to highlight the importance of the nuclear sector to the Northern economy and unite those who are calling on the Government for greater support for new nuclear industries in the region.
Eldon Garnett, managing director for conference sponsors Morgan Sindall Infrastructure Nuclear, said: “We believe that collaboration is essential to driving nuclear projects forward and achieving the ambitious targets set by the Government to meet net zero.
“Through purposeful relationships with our clients, partners, and supply chain, we champion a collaborative approach that integrates expertise to achieve shared outcomes.”
Mr Stevenson, who introduced the panel of speakers, said: “It is hugely important to me that the North approach government with one voice to request new nuclear. We have community support, the skills and the supply chain that can deliver this.
“The nuclear sector is hugely important to our economy in the North. It is also important for our energy security and the future of our industries.”
The conference was overshadowed by the resignation of government minister Zach Goldsmith, who wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that he was “horrified” at the Government abandoning its environmental commitments and withdrawing its leadership on the world stage.
