The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Nuclear Restoration Services have unveiled a masterplan for the future of the Chapelcross nuclear power plant site, revealing a vision to transform it into a Green Energy Hub. The multi-million-pound, net-zero focused development includes plans for hydrogen production and storage, advanced manufacturing, and energy and enterprise campuses. This ambitious project is set to boost the local economy by attracting high-value jobs, skills, and activities in the green energy sector.

The plans are supported by Investment of up to £15.3  million from both UK and Scottish Governments (£7.5m from Scottish Government and £7.8m from UK Government) through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal which could help to finance the access and utility improvements.

To realize this vision, the NDA is now seeking a strategic developer with the expertise and private finance needed to bring the plan to fruition.

What makes it so important?

Chapelcross is a former nuclear power plant near Annan and is one of the sites being safely and securely decommissioned by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), a subsidiary of the NDA.

The site is over 210 hectares in size and the land owned by the NDA comprises of the nuclear power station site itself which is undergoing decommissioning, the wider nuclear licensed site and unlicensed NDA landholding. The focus of the development is the unlicensed landholding.

"Our ultimate aim is to free up our land for reuse, delivering benefit to local communities the environment and the wider economy – the green energy hub will enable us to deliver this at Chapelcross. The masterplan marks tangible progress in making the hub a reality and is a testament to the value of partnership working. Selecting a strategic developer will enable us to build on this further and leverage the benefits of public and private sector collaboration," NDA CEO, David Peattie said.

For his part, Richard Murray, NRS Chapelcross Site Director, added: "We welcome the Chapelcross masterplan, which builds on our rich history of low carbon energy generation and repositions this for a green energy future. The NDA landholding and the site’s range of existing utilities and grid infrastructure will maximise our contribution to net zero and support sustainable economic growth. The significant release of 60 hectares of NDA land to support phase one is the equivalent of 84 adult football pitches."