The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

18 June 2012

The NDA, Sellafield Ltd and Nuclear Management Partners have welcomed the publication of Britain's Energy Coast Economic Blueprint. At the launch of the Blueprint in West Cumbria the three organisations, referred to locally as the Nuclear Partners, renewed their commitment to Britain's Energy Coast and playing a full role in the implementation of the Blueprint.

The  Blueprint sets out Britain's Energy Coast's vision for the development of the local economy in West Cumbria over the next 15 years; a period that could see the creation of more than 3,000 jobs as well as a significant boost to the local economy.

In a joint statement the NDA's CEO John Clarke, Sellafield Ltd's MD Todd Wright and NMP Board Member Gerry McGill said: 

"Whilst our core mission is the safe and secure delivery of Sellafield's role in the UK's nuclear decommissioning and clean-up programme, we recognise the potential impacts on, and the interests of, the Sellafield and associated workforces, the communities around the site, the local economy and the environment.

We believe West Cumbria should be recognised as a vibrant area in which to live, work and do business, with a key role in delivering the UK's Energy Policy. Key to success is positioning and developing the area as an international centre of excellence in innovative technology-based industries that provide genuine opportunities for business diversification, based upon the fundamental strengths of its nuclear capability." 

The Blueprint also aims to create an Innovation Zone in West Cumbria and in supporting this aspiration to create an Innovation Zone in West Cumbria, the Nuclear Partners have restated their commitment to:

• Ensure Sellafield and West Cumbria are recognised as world leaders in nuclear decommissioning, spent fuel and integrated waste management
• Further develop the expertise of the current workforce and supply chain to enhance business opportunities
• Support the implementation of Britain's Energy Coast Blueprint both financially and professionally
• Continue  to support the role of the BEC Campus and Business Cluster 

This approach builds on the Nuclear Partners existing support for the BEC programme which, through a nuclear funding partnership launched in March 2009, has seen around £25m of public and private sector resource invested in economic regeneration activities, which has levered in a further £35m to the area. This has enabled the BEC programme to be progressed at a time of economic restraint and the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies. In addition some £35m has been invested in developing skills and education infrastructure in the area.

• Britain's Energy Coast website: Economic Blueprint