OPINIONS are divided on whether the Government’s Energy Security Strategy published this week, is good news for our county.

The British Energy Security Strategy published on Thursday sets out plans to produce 95 per cent of the UK’s electricity at home through low-carbon sources by 2030.

Plans are motivated by soaring costs and a reliance on foreign sources for energy.

The strategy for energy independence will involve building up to eight new nuclear reactors, a £210 million investment in Small Modular Reactors and the launch of a Great British Nuclear body.

Planning laws will be reformed to speed up approval of applications to install solar panels and wind farms.

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison said: “I am particularly encouraged by the role for nuclear. A new nuclear delivery body will supercharge delivery and a commitment for up to eight new nuclear reactors by 2030 provides a great opportunity for new nuclear deployment here in Cumbria.

Mrs Harrison has campaigned for five years for the introduction of SMRs, and to have them located in Copeland.

Moorside, a site neighbouring Sellafield, is the focus of the ambitions to build SMRs in the borough as well as a prototype fusion reactor from STEP.

But Copeland Labour has said that the Government needs to start delivering.

Labour councillor for Whitehaven Joseph Ghayouba said: “12 years of promises and three government strategies (net zero, hydrogen and energy) and not a spade in the ground at Moorside.”

“If you look behind the flashy headlines, nothing has changed.

“Even if we win the bid for the experimental fusion reactor, STEP, then it will be very unlikely we would be considered for a large nuclear reactor at Moorside for at least 15 years whilst the experimental reactor is built.

“The plan does nothing to help families and households in the short term like insulation of homes.”

Cllr David Moore, Nuclear portfolio holder at Copeland Borough Council, said: “We’re confident that our joint bid to site the STEP fusion facility at Moorside shows our ability to work in partnership with local, regional and national partners on a compelling nuclear offer.”

Moorside is on a shortlist of five locations which could potentially host the ground-breaking fusion reactor, creating thousands of jobs.

Cllr Moore said: “Targeting new investment into Cumbria would not only be a vote of confidence in our key role in the UK’s nuclear landscape, but would put in place the building blocks for a future nuclear legacy securing long-term jobs, innovation and economic growth.”