Old UK power plant sold for £6.5m as new buyers tease nuclear ‘supercluster’ | UK | News


A former nuclear power station in Gloucestershire has been sold for £6.5 million, paving the way for the development of a cutting-edge nuclear “supercluster” in the UK.

The 40-acre Berkeley site, once home to one of the world’s first civil nuclear power stations, has been acquired by Chiltern Vital Berkeley Limited (CVB), a subsidiary of Chiltern Vital Group.

South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College, which announced the sale in January, had previously saved the site from demolition in 2016, transforming it into a science and technology park focused on low-carbon industries and education.

The site continues to host nearly 400 students at the SGS University Technical College, which will remain operational.

The new owners, CVB, have ambitious plans for the site, aiming to establish Berkeley as the UK’s leading research and development hub for next-generation small modular and microreactor technology.

CVB’s CEO, Chris Turner, praised SGS College for their stewardship of the site.

He said: “South Gloucestershire and Stroud College have been exceptional custodians of the park, maintaining its reputation as a centre of excellence for education and skills training.

“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.”

SGS College has also hinted at significant future developments at the site, noting that the government is expected to announce the technology provider for small modular reactors (SMRs) soon.

Rolls-Royce SMR, currently in the final approval stages with the Office for Nuclear Regulation, is a key partner of CVB and is anticipated to play a central role in the site’s transformation into a nuclear “supercluster.”

Kevin Hamblin, Chief Executive 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.

“With the close proximity to Great British Nuclear’s Oldbury site, it will create a low-carbon ‘supercluster’ over the next decade.”

This acquisition marks a significant step in revitalizing the UK’s nuclear industry, with the Berkeley site poised to become a critical component in the nation’s pursuit of net-zero emissions and technological leadership in nuclear energy.

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