MPs have heard a presentation from Copeland Council representatives on why they think the area is the best place for a groundbreaking experimental fusion reactor.

Copeland Council’s nuclear expert David Moore was amongst the speakers at the Parliamentary reception on Tuesday.

He was joined at the House of Commons by the event’s host, Copeland MP Trudy Harrison and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, explaining the borough’s readiness for new nuclear to MPs.

Moorside, an NDA owned site neighbouring Sellafield has been shortlisted in a competition to house a prototype nuclear fusion reactor from STEP. 

Cumbria's political and business leaders called on Westminster heavyweights to support their bid as it enters the final five. 

READ MORE: Fusion reactor bid moves forward as UKAEA judges visit Copeland

There are also ambitions to provide a home for Small Modular Reactors in Copeland. The Government aims to roll-out eight clean energy reactors this decade across the country on the march to net zero carbon.

The ultimate goal is to produce 25% of the UK’s electricity through low carbon solutions by 2050.

Councillor Moore says the council will seize every opportunity to further their mission of bringing new nuclear to Copeland. They face stiff competition from other areas of the UK, all vying to be the next approved site.

Councillor Moore said: “We’ve got an opportunity at an event hosted by Trudy Harrison MP to present why we think our bid is the best.”

Moorside was on Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng’s list of sites designated for new nuclear development when the Government unveiled its clean energy strategy in April.

Cllr Moore said: "Ultimately the business secretary will make the final decision. We’ll take every opportunity we’re given."

The UK Atomic Energy Authority is running the competition to see which area should host the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production facility.

If selected, Moorside would be a pioneer of fusion, demonstrating that it is a commercially viable method of energy production.

Mrs Harrison met earlier this month with representatives of Rolls Royce, Sellafield, the NDA, Copeland Council and the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy to discuss the ambition for new nuclear in Copeland.

Council and business leaders agreed to pursue a specific site, Fellside neighbouring Sellafield, for the plans to bring a Rolls Royce Small Modular Reactor to the area.

Cllr Moore believes that Copeland’s bids to house a fusion reactor and SMR complement each other.

"Fusion requires a lot of electricity to start the fusion process. Having SMRs on site will be very useful for the firing up of the fusion. You’ve got to get up to a temperature equivalent to the surface of the sun.”

Mrs Harrison said: "Locating this first of a kind fusion pilot at Moorside would be a game-changer for both West Cumbria and the wider North West. It would make our region a magnet for the best scientists and energy leaders from Britain and around the world. Once again, it will be Cumbria innovating on a global stage, building on the expertise, pioneering spirit and collaboration that has evolved here over decades.

“STEP Moorside could make West Cumbria the ‘Silicon Valley’ of  clean energy generation. The pilot will demonstrate how clean, abundant energy from fusion technology can be the foundation of the UK’s energy security, knowledge that we can then export overseas.

"In doing so, it’ll create new jobs and opportunities for the Cumbrian communities, which have embraced and propelled  industry forward over the years. I’m strongly backing the bid for Moorside and the important role that it can  in the future energy mix. Cumbria is already a net exporter of electricity to  the rest of the UK and this would really take this to the next level."