Energy Coast

We have ambitions to build on our strengths and work with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and National Nuclear Laboratory, to commercialise innovation to create new services to society such as medical isotope production. By doing so, we will expand into new markets and encourage new industries to grow and export from the area. 

Our surroundings are some of the most beautiful in the UK and even the world. With England’s highest mountain and deepest lake and stunning Lake District coastline, we will create an activity and wellbeing focused experience economy, that helps visitors and residents alike to connect with our rural and coastal environments.

Where Britain’s Energy Coast, the Lake District Coast and the UK’s foremost Centre of Nuclear Excellence coincide. West Cumbria is home to a density of industrial capability which spans the full nuclear fuel cycle, including generation, operations, reprocessing, waste management and decommissioning as well as Research and Development (R&D), nuclear materials transportation, construction, manufacturing and robotics. 

We are host to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority headquarters, the Sellafield site, UK Low Level Waste Repository and National Nuclear Laboratory’s central labs.

Our inherent nuclear and wider energy supply chain capability is reflected in the Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster (BECBC), a 325-strong member organisation including global multinationals and local SMEs from public, private, academic and third sectors. 

All of this is connected with the UK and the world by logistics hubs at the Ports of Workington and Barrow, Carlisle Airport and the M6. 

Our academic and training facilities include University of Manchester Dalton Facility, UCLan, University of Cumbria Project Academy, Energus - host to the world-leading nuclear graduates programme, National College for Nuclear, Gen2 and the Energy Coast UTC. With over 2,000 trainees on graduate and apprentice programmes at any time, we are creating the nuclear workforce of the future. 

This world-leading innovation and industry is surrounded by coastal beauty and industrial heritage, within sight of England’s highest peak and deepest lake, and connected to the untouched wilds of the Western and Southern Lake District. We are in a unique position to build on our history as pioneers of the nuclear industry, to become significant contributors to the UK’s Net Zero ambitions, and a major growth engine for the UK economy and the Northern Powerhouse.