Board makes progress on plan for new nuclear in West Cumbria

The Cumberland Nuclear Future Board, chaired by Whitehaven & Workington MP Josh MacAlister and Cumberland Council leader Cllr Mark Fryer, met this week with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to review the next phase of work to bring new nuclear and AI-led growth to West Cumbria.

Cumberland MPs Markus Campbell-Savours and Michelle Scrogham were also in attendance, alongside the leaders of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Sellafield Ltd, David Peattie and Euan Hutton, and Sue Ferns from Trade Unions for Safe Nuclear Energy (TUSNE).

The meeting marked an important step forward in the plan for Pioneer Park, the site adjacent to Sellafield that could host the next generation of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and support the development of AI and data centre infrastructure to power a more diverse local economy.

Following a market engagement process led by BEC, which drew interest from over thirty developers, energy providers and technology firms, the Board agreed that progress is being made in narrowing down the right approach for the site.

Speaking after the meeting, Josh MacAlister MP said:

“A year ago we set out to clear the way for new nuclear in West Cumbria. Today we’ve taken another decisive step.

“Pioneer Park will be the engine room for Britain’s next industrial chapter – combining clean energy and AI innovation. It’s about powering new opportunities for a pioneering community that once led the world in nuclear energy and I’m determined will do so again.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband added:

“West Cumbria has always played a leading role in Britain’s nuclear story. The progress being made here shows what can happen when local and national partners work together to shape the next chapter – one that combines clean energy with new industries.”

At the meeting, the Board reviewed emerging findings from BEC’s engagement with industry and agreed to focus on:

• Continuing work with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to finalise a practical route for transferring land for development;
• Developing a clear and timely process to identify a preferred private developer and technology partner during early 2026;
• Exploring options for early site survey and preparatory work to maintain the target of having new generation capacity in place by the mid-2030s;

The Board also noted the growing alignment between Pioneer Park and Cumberland’s proposal to become the UK’s first Nuclear-Powered AI Growth Zone, bringing together clean energy, data and advanced manufacturing.

Cllr Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, said:

“We’re building on West Cumbria’s strengths – our nuclear expertise, our skilled workforce and our sense of community purpose. Pioneer Park is about turning that heritage into new opportunities for the next generation.”