CHAPELCROSS has not made it to the shortlist for the future home of the UK’s prototype fusion energy plant.
Yesterday, the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) announced that the site had failed to make it to the next round in the search for a new energy plant.
South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) revealed earlier this year that it had worked with partners to submit a nomination for Chapelcross to be the home of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (or STEP) in March 2021, identifying that it would represent a major opportunity for the South of Scotland.
SOSE chairman Russel Griggs released a statement reassuring the South of Scotland that it remains ambitious for the site, and is committed to looking at options, along with partners, which it had already been doing ahead of the STEP nomination.
Professor Griggs OBE, said: “This is obviously disappointing but with 15 sites in the running across the whole of the UK, we knew there was very strong competition.
“Now we know the outcome of STEP, we can continue to focus on the future of Chapelcross along with our partners which we had already started to do before this.
“It is by no means the end of the road for Chapelcross, in fact it’s quite the opposite.
“With Chapelcross also being included in the investment options in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal — this will further enhance the redevelopment opportunities for the future.
“We are here to be bold and ambitious, and we believe there is huge potential for Chapelcross, despite this news.”
