By Matthew Legg Business editor

Last updated at 13:44, Friday, 02 December 2011

West Cumbria’s planned new nuclear power station will be called Moorside.

NuGen, the consortium behind the project, has ditched the Sellafield name to go with a fresh image.

Site investigations on land earmarked for the scheme, just north of the existing Sellafield site, are due to start next year.

NuGen, owned by energy giants Iberdrola and GDF Suez, plumped for Moorside as a project name after consulting local people.

The name is taken from a tenanted farm called Greenmoorside which forms part of the area where the new station would be built.

NuGen is currently assessing whether it will go ahead with the development and intends to decide in 2015. Detailed plans are being prepared for a 3.6GW reactor station.

Olivier Carret, chief operating director for NuGen, said naming the project was a key step in delivering the scheme.

“I’m delighted to be able to announce that NuGen’s project will now be known as Moorside,” he said.

“It is of course very important to have a point of reference for our new build plans, and we are proud of our new project name.

“NuGen’s Moorside project is gaining momentum. We will shortly be carrying out preliminary work on the site and it is important that our local community recognise us and our project.”

Alfio Vidal, chief nuclear director for NuGen said: “The recent permission from Copeland Council means our site characterisation work can now commence on schedule.

“We think Moorside reflects the unique qualities of west Cumbria and our new project name marks a step forward in our development plans.”

NuGen, based on the Westlakes Science Park at Whitehaven, is currently holding consultation meetings with the local community and will begin to develop a supply chain of companies to work with it on the project next year.

First published at 11:24, Friday, 02 December 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk