Holtec considers Kingmoor Park for modular reactor unit

Holtec has shortlisted Kingmoor Park in Carlisle as the potential site for a unit for small modular reactors, after a national competition was held.

The facility is projected to contribute approximately £1.5 billion in gross value added to the economy of the chosen location, create 3,600 jobs in construction, and create up to 400 manufacturing jobs once operational.

Efforts to lure Holtec GB to Carlisle have been spearheaded by the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and Cumberland Council, as well as the Kingmoor Park Properties Ltd team.

Professor Dame Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge, who is Holtec's senior advisor in the UK, visited Kingmoor Park on July 29 alongside Gareth Davies, director of Holtec GB, and Tom Lees, managing director of Bradshaw Advisory.

Following a tour of the site, they met a range of regional representatives including Lord Inglewood, chair of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership; Mark Fryer, leader of Cumberland Council; Julie Minns, MP for Carlisle; professor Julie Mennell of the University of Cumbria; Chris Nattress, principal of Lakes College; and Craig Hatch, division president of energy and utilities at TetraTech.

The meeting was hosted at Story House, by Emma Porter, managing director of Story Contracting.

Mr Inglewood said: "It is excellent news that Kingmoor Park is one of the shortlisted sites and confirms that Cumbria is recognised as one of the most serious players for both clean energy and advanced manufacturing capabilities."

Mr Fryer said: "While Cumberland is rightly seen as the home of the UK civil nuclear industry, it is important to note that there would be no nuclear material on the proposed Kingmoor site.

"The factory would produce 2 to 4 reactors per year, valued at £1 to £2 billion each, which would be deployed across the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

"This is therefore a great opportunity to further establish Cumberland’s capabilities in high precision engineering and manufacturing."

Ms Minns said: "Economic growth is at the forefront of government’s plans to rebuild Britain, with investment in clean energy a fundamental part of this.

"I will therefore work with my colleagues and new Labour ministers to support this proposal and bring Holtec GB’s factory to Carlisle, which, importantly, will create high quality and sustainable employment for my constituents."

Ms King said: "The region’s long history of working on nuclear fills us with confidence as we move forward with our assessment of the shortlisted bids.

"We will come to a decision in due course."

Holtec is aiming to announce its chosen location in the autumn.