The release of the much-anticipated Government energy white paper has been hailed as indicative of a "revolution" in thinking on nuclear power, and has been welcomed as significant news for Cumbria.

The white paper, published on Monday, will serve as a guiding strategic document for the development of Government strategy on energy production in the UK.

The document has long been anticipated as an indication on the level of support the Government has for the development of new nuclear infrastructure in the country.

As such, it has been welcomed that the Government has committed in the white paper to bring "at least one large-scale nuclear project" to the point of a final investment decision by the end of the current Parliament - though with the caveat that it is demonstrated to be "clear value for money" and "all relevant approvals".

Concurrently, it was announced that Government talks had begun with energy firm EDF on funding for the £20bn new Sizewell C nuclear power plant construction project in Suffolk.

Positive progress on the Sizewell C project would most likely result in a more confident outlook on considerations of investment in a new nuclear power plant in Cumbria.

On top of this, the white paper included support for the development of new nuclear technologies - small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors, with a commitment of up to £385m in funding for their development, hoped for by the early 2030s.

The paper also indicates an ambition for the UK to develop the world's first commercially viable fusion power plant by 2040.

This is something that has been recently suggested could be sited in Cumbria: The Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership has recently launched a bid to determine where such a plant could be located in the county.

MP for Copeland, Trudy Harrison, said that the white paper set out an "ambitious direction" for a "revolution" in Government thinking on nuclear power - and that the document places a "massive focus" on the sector.

"For us in Cumbria this is brilliant because it's what provides thousands of highly skilled jobs in our area," she said.

"Since the 1940s Copeland has led the way and if I have my way, we'll be leading this renaissance once again, with a Rolls-Royce 440mw reactor on or adjacent to the Sellafield site on NDA owned land."

"But we will also focus on the research and development of the next generation of advanced reactors with the National Nuclear Laboratory, and we'll enjoy the spin off industries like robotics and remotely operated vehicles in existing and new companies in our towns like Cleator Moor and Egremont."

Mrs Harrison added that the announcement of the white paper's publication in Parliament on Monday was a positive indication of the levels of support across the Commons for the nuclear industry.

"It was brilliant to hear so many of my Parliamentary colleagues speaking up for nuclear, cross party, from across the UK and for many different but equally good reasons," she said.

"The future is nuclear and it's a bright one."

David Moore, Copeland Council's portfolio holder for nuclear and corporate services, said the authority welcomed the publication of the white paper, which he said "makes a strong commitment to turn the UK’s climate ambitions into climate action, through the delivery of the UK’s future clean energy system".

Mr Moore added that the document "represents a significant investment into the UK’s industrial regions, including our centre of nuclear excellence in west Cumbria".

"This will provide important stimulus to the economy helping to accelerate recovery, and will give confidence to the supply chain businesses to invest in the people, capability and infrastructure needed to deliver the UK’s future low carbon energy infrastructure."

For Mr Moore, the white paper highlighted the UK's pressing need for major investment in its energy infrastructure in order to meet the nation's target on achieving net zero carbon emissions.

"None of the energy infrastructure that will provide the UK’s low carbon power in 2050 exists today, demand could increase by as much as double that of today, and many of the technologies that are essential to meeting that demand sustainably are not yet developed.

"The energy system of the future will be a balanced one of large, small and advanced nuclear fission, fusion and renewables, generating low carbon electricity, plus co-generation of industrial and domestic heat, hydrogen and other low carbon fuels for aviation and shipping."

Mr Moore added that the mature nuclear economy in west Cumbria, with its high concentration of specialists both directly and indirectly involved in the nuclear sector, made it particularly well placed to capitalise on an increased focus on nuclear power.

"Our supply chain capability, skills and sites are the perfect system to rapidly develop and deploy advanced nuclear technologies including small and advanced modular reactors, high temperature gas-cooled reactors, medical isotope production, space propulsion systems and fusion power," he said.

"With around 11,000 days to 2050, Copeland is the place to accelerate development and deployment of these clean energy technologies.

"We have grown generations of globally-recognised experts in nuclear plant operations, design, engineering, construction management, material science, decommissioning, research and development.

"We have a nuclear knowledge economy that encompasses the majority of the nuclear life cycle – from generation, reactor operation support, fuel fabrication and reprocessing, to waste management and decommissioning.

"Our people are the driving force of the UK’s nuclear sector, and our training institutions are growing the nuclear workforce of the future."