Ardeer misses out in bid to host UK's first nuclear fusion energy plant
The UK Government confirmed on Monday that the facility would be built in Nottinghamshire
Last updated 4th Oct 2022
North Ayrshire Council's leader has said there is “much to be positive about”, despite the “disappointment” of missing out on hosting the UK's first nuclear fusion reactor.
Ardeer had been on a shortlist of five locations to host the new multi-million pound facility, but in a speech at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham on Monday the Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg announced it will go to the West Burton A plant in Nottinghamshire.
A near-limitless source of low carbon energy
The UK Government says Fusion has the potential to provide a near-limitless source of low carbon energy. It copies the processes that power the sun and stars where atoms are fused to release energy, creating nearly four million times more energy for every kilogram of fuel than burning coal, oil or gas.
The facility would also have created thousands of new jobs in North Ayrshire.
READ MORE: Ardeer makes final five shortlist for UK fusion energy plant
Following that announcement that Ardeer’s bid had been unsuccessful, North Ayrshire Council Leader Marie Burns told Clyde 1 News: “While it is clear there will be disappointment for many that Ardeer won’t be home to the fusion plant, there is still much to be positive about.
“We have shown what is possible for a unique location like Ardeer and we know that it remains a prime site ready for the right development.
North Ayrshire in "a strong position for commercial development"
“We will continue to pursue innovation and investment opportunities throughout North Ayrshire, and this process has demonstrated that our area has much to offer as a desirable location for large-scale investment.
“The experience we have gained working with partners on this project puts us in a strong position for commercial development and very attractive to prospective investors and employers.
“While the STEP plant would have brought significant investment, jobs and training opportunities to North Ayrshire and the west of Scotland, we will continue to explore different possibilities and opportunities for our area.
"A new era of innovation"
“It’s important that we don’t lose momentum and it’s clear there is an appetite from national agencies such as Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Council for Development and Industry among others, to usher in a new era of innovation in our area.
“We will do everything we can to ensure that North Ayrshire will benefit from STEP and the emerging UK fusion energy industry, as part of the large-scale supply chains and advanced manufacturing in not only this but other burgeoning areas such as aerospace and offshore renewables.
“This is most definitely not the end of the road but the start of a new journey.”
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