Major plans to develop a new source of low carbon energy at a former nuclear power plant in Gloucestershire are moving forwards this August 2024.
South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College has announced that the sale of its Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park at Berkeley to leading zero-carbon energy firm Chiltern Vital Group (CVG) has officially gone through for £6.5 million, having first been agreed in January 2024.
CVG has been working with Rolls Royce and the University of Bristol to develop Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology with a view to establishing a low-carbon 'super cluster' at Berkeley and Oldbury, which is expected to be at the centre of a wider UK plan driven by government body, Great British Nuclear (GBN).
The Berkeley site was formerly one of the first civil nuclear power stations in the world, with an adjoining research laboratory described as 'fundamental' for developing the UK’s nuclear fuel programme.
SGS saved the site from demolition in 2016 and, with support from Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud District Council, created a science and technology park, together with a number of low carbon businesses and education providers.
The college says it recognised that successive governments had identified the need for carbon-free energy to help the UK reach its net zero targets, along with a need for private investment in order to realise the full potential of the site.
Following the sale to Chiltern Vital Berkeley Limited (CVB), a wholly owned subsidiary of CVG, SGS and the on-site University Technical College are set to play a key role in the future development of the site through the teaching of key nuclear skills.
Kevin Hamblin, CEO of SGS said: ‘We are delighted that CVB can now invest in the site to support research, development and skills training around new nuclear, AI and low carbon businesses.
'CVB and their partners will bring significant new investment and work opportunities for the region; and for SGS it will mean the college plays a very prominent role to support the teaching of new skills for many years to come.’
Chris Turner, chief executive of the Chiltern Vital Group, added: 'Key to the regeneration of Berkeley will be the provision of nuclear-centric education and skills training.
'With news of the government’s SMR selection process expected shortly, GBN has identified that the UK will need approximately 150,000 new nuclear trained employees over the next decade.’
