Town on shortlist for country’s first nuclear fusion power plant
INVESTMENT WOULD BRING THOUSANDS OF JOBS
AN East Yorkshire town has taken a step closer to having the UK’S first nuclear fusion power station, which would bring thousands of skilled jobs to the area.
Goole was already listed as one of 15 locations being considered by the UK’S Atomic Energy Authority (AEA).
Now it has made it further, onto a shortlist of just five sites.
The Government is aiming to become the first country to commercialise the energy source, a move that could create thousands of jobs and play a crucial part in the nation’s net zero ambition.
The creation of the plant in Goole could also serve as a magnet for other high-tech industries in science and technology.
Some £220m has been invested into finding an appropriate site for the project, which UKAEA is hoping could be operational by 2040.
Goole is being considered along with Ardeer in North Ayrshire, Moorside in Cumbria, Ratcliffe-on-soar in Nottinghamshire and Severn Edge in Gloucestershire.
The bid is supported by a partnership of northern universities led by York, for a site close to Junction 36 of the M62.
Councillor Jonathan Owen, leader of East Riding Council, said: “We recognise the potential long-term and enduring economic benefits it could bring to the East Riding and wider Yorkshire region, and also the national benefits.
“It will create wonderful opportunities for growth across the UK, with jobs at all levels created in the region, and the programme will undoubtedly focus on skills development which is something we always nurture as a council.
“These skills will mostly be in science, technology, engineering and maths, although there will be opportunities across a wide range of roles and skills.
“We know that UKAEA has already provided resources to support an apprentice training scheme in the local area and will work with local education and training providers such as the universities of York and Sheffield at the earliest opportunity.
“We are pleased to be able to support this bid and now look forward to progressing to the next phase.”
Science Minister George Freeman said: “Fusion energy has the potential to be a truly revolutionary and inexhaustible energy source that can help us reduce our dependence on unreliable fossil fuels and tackle climate change.”
“By building the foundations to unlock the power of fusion energy, including the location of the UK’S first prototype fusion power plant, we are positioning the UK as a global leader in this safe and sustainable power source.”