Business leaders have been responding to today’s announcement that the Government plans to significantly expand the UK’s nuclear sector.
West Cumbria could benefit from the proposals, which identify Moorside near Sellafield as a potential site for a new nuclear plant.
The Government’s Civil Nuclear Roadmap, published today, said a new plant would increase homegrown supplies by up to four times by 2050.
Nuclear power currently provides around 15% of the UK’s electricity, and the Government is keen to enhance UK supplies of home-grown energy in response to rising costs and economic uncertainty due to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Cumbria is well-placed to host a new nuclear facility, with Sellafield Ltd a major employer in the county. A skilled workforce and training infrastructure is already in place to meet the demands of a new facility, with Energus and the University of Cumbria providing nuclear sector courses and work placements.
The county’s business economy is also bolstered by the significant number of local businesses that operate within the nuclear sector supply chain – from engineering and haulage firms to caterers and administrative services.
Following the launch of Great British Nuclear in 2023, the UK’s nuclear ambitions will be led by the growing investment in small module reactors (SMRs).
SMRs make construction of nuclear products and services faster and less expensive.
Rolls-Royce SMR is one of the UK companies that will be bidding for contracts and has already confirmed that sites in Cumbria would be ideally placed to host their SMR facilities.
A spokesman for Rolls-Royce told Business Crack: “Rolls-Royce SMR welcomes the Government’s reaffirmation of its target to deliver 24GW of new nuclear power by 2050. We strongly agree with the conclusion that there is no credible way to reach net zero without nuclear and SMRs are the fastest and most affordable way of bringing new nuclear online.
“The Government has previously stated it will complete its SMR down-selection in spring and place contracts on the successful vendors by summer 2024. It is vitally important that we all work at pace to achieve these milestones, as an order in the UK will unlock several extremely promising export opportunities that Rolls-Royce SMR is working to secure this year.
“We are ready to move at pace, in this pivotal year, through a successful down selection and into contract award as efficiently as possible.”
Cumbrian business leaders also welcomed today’s announcement, citing Cumbria’s nuclear heritage and infrastructure as benefits.
Dianne Richardson, chief executive of Britain’s Energy Coat Business Cluster (BECBC) said: “There is an important role for government in giving an industry certainty. This allows businesses and investors to make investment decisions and with nuclear now becoming attractive to private investment this is much needed.
“The promised reduction in bureaucracy will also mean the industry can become more efficient and productive to deliver at greater pace which is vital for delivery of net zero targets, energy affordability and energy security.
“For Cumbrian supply chain companies the publication of the Great British Nuclear roadmap is good news regardless of what siting decisions are made. Our expertise is world renowned and supports delivery of nuclear projects internationally, our BECBC members will be looking to engage with local businesses around sites as they are identified to offer that expertise and collaborate for growth across both businesses and areas.”
Jo Lappin, chief executive of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The LEP very much welcomes the publication of the Civil Nuclear Roadmap and the framework that it provides for future nuclear developments and investments.
“Cumbria has the necessary skills and expertise to play an important role as the roadmap is implemented and it’s great to see that this is recognised in relation to future siting opportunities.
“The LEP will continue to work with colleagues in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Great British Nuclear to see how we can help these opportunities to become a reality.”
Suzanne Caldwell, managing director of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “Given Cumbria’s expertise and experience in nuclear energy we must be well placed to be part of these plans and it would be great to see new nuclear coming to Moorside.
“This would present great opportunities in terms of both employment and supply chain, but at the same time challenges given our very tight labour market.
“Stakeholders are already working together on how we can address current staffing challenges and we’ll obviously extend that to this new opportunity.”
