A MAJOR player in plans for a clean energy hub in Copeland has taken a ‘severe’ hit due to pandemic pressures but is “still committed” to the Moorside project. Jet engine giant Rolls Royce has recorded a £4 billion loss during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been chalked up to a drop in air travel. Rolls Royce is one of the business heavyweights interested in placing Small Modular Reactors at the proposed Moorside Clean Energy Hub neighbouring Sellafield. They are leading UKSMR, a consortium of companies which includes EDF Energy in plans to place the reactors at Moorside, and now, potentially Fellside.
Plans are in the works that could put Copeland “at the top of the tree” in nuclear innovation. Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership has completed its deliberations on which of the counties locations could house a UK-first nuclear fusion reactor prototype. The Moorside Clean Energy Hub came out on top in the mini competition. Cumbria LEP will now work with Copeland Borough Council in a bid to bring the cutting edge technology to Copeland. If successful, a prototype of the fusion reactor, which Professor Stephen Hawking has called “the key to the future” could be housed at Moorside; along with the Small Modular Reactors that are already in the works.
‘EXCITING’ plans are in motion to bring the UK’s first prototype nuclear fusion power plant to Cumbria. Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership is looking for the ideal site in Cumbria to house the first prototype nuclear fusion facility. When suitable locations are identified, plans for the power plant will then be submitted to the bidding process which is being held by the UK Atomic Energy Authority. Nuclear fusion is believed to be the next generation of clean energy production. Fusion was described by Professor Stephen Hawking in 2010 as the one scientific discovery or advance he would like to see in his lifetime that would transform society.