Oldbury and Berkeley in line for a nuclear boost

Nuclear energy and the expertise to develop its potential is in the very DNA of Gloucestershire.

Not my words but those of Councillor Mark Hawthorne when the Western Gateway partnership launched its Severn Edge project bid to site a prototype Step fusion plant at Oldbury and Berkeley.

That bid, of course, failed.

But it left a feeling that the exceptional work on the bid might later lead to a significant role for the land around the two former decommissioned nuclear plants.

I now think that role is likely to happen following last week’s publication by the government of their new Civil Nuclear Roadmap.

And my view is supported by Mark Hawthorne, who is also vice chair of the Western Gateway.

He says: ”It is no surprise to see our Severn Edge sites getting recognition in this latest announcement for the development of the next generation of nuclear technology in the UK.

“Our sites in Oldbury and Berkeley provide a unique opportunity for speedy delivery, access to top quality expertise and supportive communities.

“In Berkeley, our heritage as one of the UK’s first nuclear power plants, means our communities have long understood the potential of nuclear energy”.

Berkley and Oldbury have been visited by the government’s Great British Nuclear organisation and were impressed.

I believe that Oldbury could be a possible site for several of the new SMRs-small medium nuclear reactors.

And Berkeley - with the SGS Group running their educational institute there - could then be in a position to provide the adjacent research and training facilities for the SMRs at Oldbury.

Added to that, I think it is significant that South Gloucestershire and Stroud College(SGS) have put their flagship Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park at Berkeley Green up for sale.

I understand that Great British Nuclear are now compiling a short list of sites for these new mini power stations—the SMRs.

Rolls Royce are one of the key developers of these SMRs. I hope they win the international competition to build them in the UK as a great British company.

And what a boost for our economy if those sites at Berkeley and Olbury are chosen.