Energy Minister asks NDA to explore clean energy at Moorside

Energy Minister Michael Shanks asks the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to explore clean energy at Moorside.

• Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Cumberland Council to explore clean energy development in Cumbria – protecting billpayers and supporting new jobs as part of government's Plan for Change
• Moorside land could be used for range of clean energy projects, from nuclear to solar to wind
• Builds on Cumbria's strong nuclear history and decommissioning work at Sellafield – making the region a clean energy powerhouse

People in Cumbria could benefit from a new jobs and economic growth in Moorside, after Energy Minister Michael Shanks asked the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Cumberland Council to explore the potential for clean energy development on the land.

The government's nuclear decommissioning arm, which owns the site adjacent to Sellafield, will work with the local council to explore using the land for clean energy projects – opening up market discussions on privately-backed new nuclear, solar or wind as part of government's Plan for Change.

Cumbria has a strong nuclear history and the decommissioning work at Sellafield is a national priority. Any plans for development will consider the requirements of existing major programmes at Sellafield, including plutonium disposition, which will support thousands of skilled jobs and inject billions into Cumbria over the coming decades.

A new clean energy project could lead to new jobs in the region, while protecting billpayers and boosting the UK's energy security.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

Unlocking the potential of Moorside for clean energy is a significant step forward in our Plan for Change, supporting skilled jobs, economic growth and energy security in Cumbria and across the UK.

By working closely with local partners, we can ensure that this historic region continues to lead the way in clean energy innovation, delivering real benefits for communities and protecting billpayers for years to come.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:

Cumbria has a fantastic nuclear legacy, and opening up this land for development will build on the region's energy expertise.

This could lead to new jobs and economic growth in Cumbria, while boosting the nation's energy security and protecting family finances.

NDA Group CEO, David Peattie, said:

Our priority will always be the delivery of our nationally important mission, to safely and securely decommission the UK's earliest nuclear sites.

We have unique expertise, resources and assets and we are committed to exploring how we can best utilise these to support wider energy security ambitions and low carbon energy generation.

That includes looking to identify land not required for our mission, which could be freed up for other uses to deliver benefits to the local community and wider economy.

Councillor Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, said:

This is great news for West Cumbria, a clean energy development will help grow and diversify our future economy.  

The council are fully committed to working with the NDA together to understand how we can deliver maximum value and benefit from the land at Moorside for the local community.

Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said:

Unlocking this land gives us our best chance at new nuclear since the collapse of NuGen. Now we have the government behind us and an agreement on use of the land we can motor ahead to deliver Pioneer Park at pace.

I will do everything in my power, working with national government and local partners, to secure West Cumbria's nuclear future.

Notes to editors

There are no plans for waste disposal at Moorside, some land is required for Sellafield's mission delivery including to enable plutonium disposition. 

Moorside is one of several sites that has the potential to host future civil nuclear projects, though no decisions have yet been made.