Japanese giant ‘committed’ to nuclear new-build

The company behind plans to build a new nuclear power station which would be fuelled by Lancashire workers has said it will push ahead with the development work following Japanese giant Toshiba’s announcement it is still committed the project.

That led to speculation that it was set to withdraw from the industry. However, following the review Toshiba has said that it remains committed to developing the Moorside project, near Sellafield on the West Cumbrian coast.

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark welcomed “the continued commitment” of the NuGen consortium to the Moorside project

Fuel for the AP1000 would be made at Westinghouse’s Springfields plant, near Preston, safeguarding hundreds of jobs.

“Moorside is at the core of the UK’s plans for providing safe, sustainable low-carbon electricity for generations to come and will be a transformational opportunity for West Cumbria.”

“The site has already been proven as suitable for three Westinghouse AP1000 reactors; two phases of consultation have found the public overwhelmingly supportive of the need for new nuclear and have helped shape the plans for Moorside.