Developers have until Friday to submit bids to develop hundreds of acres of land around the Sellafield site.
Known as Pioneer Park, the purpose of the development will be to diversify and strengthen the local economy which has historically been heavily reliant on Sellafield.
In June 2025, the Government announced plans to potentially use land for a major clean energy project, potentially including new nuclear power facilities.
The area under consideration includes part of the former Moorside site which is already officially recognised as suitable for nuclear development.
The tender process opened on December 9 with an invitation to organisations to participate and contribute to what is being hailed as ‘a significant step forward in enabling further market involvement and guiding West Cumbria’s transition towards a clean energy future.’
Developers are expected to submit plans that:
- Provides a route map for the development of the park
- Identifies clear opportunities for clean energy generation and attracting innovative green energy businesses including those related to SMRs development and the proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI) Growth Zone.
- Provides a prioritised implementation plan for investment, and
- Identifies financial and funding options for implementing the identified opportunities, taking into account the current economic landscape, with the objective of securing future investment to ensure successful realisation.
Speaking during Nuclear Week in Westminster, Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven & Workington said he hoped the project had attracted the attention of ‘serious players who will create the really exciting and innovative vision we need.’
While no details of the exact timescale are set out the bid document says the project ‘is of significant importance, leveraging established industry expertise and local history’, adding that ‘the objective is to advance operations on this site efficiently and at pace’ and urging bidders to include a timeline that spans six to nine months maximum.
