Nuclear research lab officially open
Nuclear research lab officially open
2008-04-04Newsfeed
A £275m laboratory that could catapult Cumbria to the heart of the global nuclear industry has been opened.
A £275m laboratory that could catapult Cumbria to the heart of the global nuclear industry has been opened.
The centre, based at Sellafield and run by Nexia Solutions, will be expected to provide the skills to underpin atomic energy production in Britain and the world in the 21st century.
Known as the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) the scheme will provide training, research and development, experimentation and support for the UK's expanded nuclear network.
At its heart is the British Technology Centre (BTC) at Sellafield, an imposing glass-fronted structure that houses the best facilities of its type anywhere in the world.
Incredibly, though, the Government has yet to confirm it will officially adopt the centre and the Treasury must still be convinced of the business case for it.
Final approval is thought to be just a formality, with an announcement expected soon.
Business secretary John Hutton's recent announcement that he would like to see an expanded UK nuclear sector, employing 100,000 people, would appear to suggest that full backing for the plan is imminent.
The Sellafield lab offers facilities for nuclear companies from around the world to develop new techniques in nuclear energy production and decommissioning.
Unique high active cells mean operatives can test and characterise highly radioactive material safely.
A plutonium and uranium centre is designed to offer facilities to make new breakthroughs in MOX fuel production.
Copyright © The Press Association 2008
