THE FIRST of three factories manufacturing Rolls Royce's mini nuclear reactors could be brought to Carlisle.

Rolls Royce is leading a consortium of leading businesses with ambitions to deliver a fleet of 16 Small Modular Reactors (SMR) across the UK.

The jet engine and luxury car giant develops its nuclear power stations differently to most, manufacturing 90 per cent of the reactors as modules in a factory, before transporting them to the site for assembly.

And Kingmoor Park, Carlisle is one of seven sites on the shortlist to potentially manufacture these parts.

They will be assembled elswhere into a nuclear power station for the clean production of electricity.

Those with a vested interest in the nuclear sector are campaigning to see sites neighbouring Sellafield in Copeland host the clean energy technology when it is brought online.

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Rolls Royce has a memorandum of understanding with industry figures to bring the first of a kind SMR to a site near Sellafield, whether it be Moorside or Fellside.

News that Carlisle could house the factory to build it’s component parts has been hailed as positive news.

David Moore, Copeland Council's exec member for nuclear and commercial services said: "That's good news it's part of the new Cumberland. I'm delighted that's gone forward there's opportunities nearer towards site and there are places towards Allerdale that need to be considered."

Councillor Moore said that Forth, based in Maryport are acredited to build components for the nuclear industry.

The SMR factory at Kingmoor, if given the greenlight, would make Carlisle a key exporter regardless of whether new nuclear is delivered at a site in Copeland.

READ MORE: Rolls-Royce SMR say there are ‘strong possibilities’ for new nuclear in Cumbria

Cllr Moore said: "We know the Government is committed to at least 16. It's possible components could be built here that travel down to Anglesey. We could have parts built here in Cumberland, Derby and they could all come together on the sites."

Rolls-Royce SMR Chief Executive, Tom Samson, said: "I would like to thank everyone who sent in a submission suggesting locations in their region for the first Rolls-Royce SMR factory. The response was fantastic and shows the ambition and appetite of the UK to build and operate a fleet of SMRs which will provide affordable, low-carbon electricity for generations to come.

"The final location will come from the shortlist and will result in significant investment, long-term high-skilled jobs and will support the UK Government’s aspirations for levelling-up. Today’s announcement is another example of the pace of our project and why Rolls-Royce SMR is the UK’s domestic nuclear energy champion.”

READ MORE: Leading Copeland councillor says party politics don't belong in nuclear talks