Former nuclear power plant to UK energy headquarters
The region’s MPs and MSPs have been asked to support this proposal.
There's a bid to try to convince the UK government to situate its new publicly owned renewable energy company in Dumfries and Galloway.
Dumfries and Galloway Council believe the site of a former nuclear power station at Chapelcross near Annan would be the prime spot and are seeking support from local politicians.
Council leader Gail MacGregor believes that having the company station in the region will bring a lot of benefits:
“Chapelcross is a prime location to host GB Energy headquarters. The site is also recognised as a site for national development detailed in the National Planning Framework 4 and has been earmarked for redevelopment as a green energy hub since 2013. It was identified as a location for one of Scotland’s thirteen regional hydrogen hubs, with an emerging hydrogen supply chain cluster.
“We would welcome the development for several reasons, but obviously it would provide a huge boost to our local economy and population by attracting skilled workers and upgrading local skills. This would also help to combat depopulation in Dumfries and Galloway by creating more high-quality jobs and career prospects for our residents, especially in the green energy sector.”
Macgregor has also reached out to local politicians to back this proposal.
Labour MSP Colin Smyth says he is fully on board with this:
“I welcome the fact that the council are backing Labour’s plans for GB Energy – a publicly owned energy company that will cut people’s bills and ensure that some of our energy is produced by a British-owned company instead of overseas internationals.
“I suspect the council knows it’s unlikely Chapelcross will be selected because this is a headquarters for GB Energy rather than energy production itself, but I’ll be supporting the bid right to the end.”