Energy Minister 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 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, , 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 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.
, 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.