With the world’s largest concentration of nuclear facilities and 36 per cent of the UK’s civil nuclear industry, West Cumbria attracts companies from around the world. The world’s first commercial nuclear power station, Calder Hall, now Sellafield is managed by Nuclear Management Partners for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The site now centres on decommissioning, with strong support for a new power station on three potential sites in the area. The nuclear focus has led to much partner work with organisations such as AMEC. Cumbria is also home to Energus, the £20m world class centre for energy skills, training and business and the National Nuclear Skills Academy.

The area also boasts a growing reputation for renewable energy such as wind farms, including one of the largest off-shore, Robin Rigg, based off the Solway Coast. The £200m Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness is one of the largest developments on England’s west coast, creating a sustainable community with 650 new homes; a business park, 350-berth marina; and a host of new leisure facilities.

All this makes Cumbria’s home to a £2b investment plan for Britain’s Energy Coast™, set to create 16,000 jobs and ensuring that the area stays at the forefront of the sector. The plan includes: a £100m hospital rebuild; £200m investment in schools; specialist energy industry training facilities and a £300m investment in infrastructure.