Second site is identified as nuclear option

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE County Council has identified a second site for a potential nuclear fusion plant as part of a national drive to find a home for the UK’S future nuclear power base.

Talks are taking place over placing a second site at West Burton (pictured), close to the existing coal-fired power plant, in the running to be selected from applicants from all over the UK.

The issue will be discussed at the County Council’s Policy Committee, due to meet tomorrow, ahead of a deadline for applications at the end of this month.

The Post revealed last month that the council was working with a number of local partners to prepare a bid as part of a national competition led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to find possible locations for the country’s next nuclear fusion plant.

The council had marked a site close to the existing coal power plant at Ratcliffe-on-soar, which is scheduled for closure in 2025, as a target location to be entered into the competition.

And now it has been confirmed the second location, near Retford, is also likely to be put forward. Plans are being drawn up to submit an area of land close to the West Burton Power Plant, which is also set to be phased out.

Nottinghamshire County Council leader Kay Cutts said: “It is very early days of course in the process, but it would be a tremendous boost for Nottinghamshire and the rest of the region.

“Generations to come would benefit from new skills, training and thousands of highly skilled jobs, attracting investment and bringing massive benefits to our regional economy, not to mention lucrative opportunities for the local supply chain to help construct the plant.”

Both commissioned and built in the 1960s, the power plants at Ratcliffe and West Burton are two of only three coal-fired plants still operating in Britain.