By Andrew Clark

Last updated at 09:25, Saturday, 31 March 2012

The consortium behind plans for a new nuclear power plant in Cumbria say they remain committed to the project.

NuGen, the station’s prospective developer, was speaking following the news that Horizon – owned by RWE and E.On – announced it will not develop new atomic energy stations in the UK.

It had been planning to invest in new plants in Anglesey and Oldbury-on-Severn, near Bristol.

But NuGen, the UK nuclear company owned by Iberdrola and GDF Suez, said it was “100 per cent” committed to its west Cumbrian project, named Moorside.

A spokesman said: “We have no comment to make on developments at Horizon. We do not comment on progress or business developments at other consortia.

“NuGen is totally committed to and focused on its Moorside project, which aims to develop some 3.6GW of new nuclear power at our site in west Cumbria.

“Our Moorside project is of national importance and we are putting all our energies into making this development a success.

“We are progressing with our plans in tandem with a very supportive and knowledgeable community and west Cumbria as we move forward in partnership.”

Landing a new generation nuclear power reactor is seen as a key driver in boosting Cumbria’s economy and a critical plank in the energy coast vision for the west of the county.

Moorside takes its name from a tenanted farm called Greenmoorside which is on part of the Sellafield area land.

Having set up offices at Westlakes, Whitehaven, NuGen has a programme of community meetings in place and will be starting to look at developing the necessary supply chain for the project during 2012.

First published at 08:57, Saturday, 31 March 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk