HOPES for the future of a “new energy revival” – and with it the fate of the Moorside power masterplan – rest on a long-awaited Government White Paper due to be revealed soon.

It is hoped that a commitment to clean energy will fuel plans for the future of the Moorside site next to Sellafield.

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison said an announcement on clean energy is set to be revealed in November “following heavy lobbying of ministers”.

Mrs Harrison recently attended a panel session with Supporters of Nuclear Energy to “champion the important part nuclear can play towards our country’s energy needs and our commitment to achieving net zero”.

Speaking of plans to build a new nuclear site at Moorside, the borough's deputy mayor David Moore said: “It’s a massive employment opportunity – what we’re saying is this is the right place to do it.

"Windscale was the first military grade facility. This is the right place to have that new energy revival.

“We aren’t looking for a financial investment, it’s the Government creating the right environment for the right investors. It’s about creating the right environment for the private sector.”

“Investors need the confidence of the government.”

The clean energy project at Moorside could prove to be a huge employment opportunity for the area.

“The opportunities for young people coming along is what I think the next generation of engineers are looking for," said Coun Moore. "It could be a step towards a sustainable future.

“Wherever you’ve got nuclear fuel, that can also be used to create hydrogen – that seems to be one of the keys for the future."

Coun Moore added that the resources are in place as spent fuel and plutonium are already stored at the Sellafield site.

“We’ve got the fuel. We want to drive forward while those fuels are still here.”

He believes Moorside, with the right commitment to clean energy from the Government, could see different forms of energy. “What we want to see there is a mix of energies. That site’s large enough to accommodate others as well.”

The site has received interest from EDF Energy as well as widespread support from industry figures including the Unite union.

“We went out there and asked what the need was for the market place and they responded,” said Coun Moore.