WORKINGTON will become a 'world leader' in the manufacturing of new nuclear reactors, with a Cumbrian company saying it is set to start building a small modular reactor (SMR).

TSP Engineering, part of the GMET Group of companies, has claimed it will become a 'global leader' in the nuclear industry, with the first reactor hoping to be built by 2027.

The GMET Nuclear SMR ‘NuCell’ will be manufactured within TSP’s manufacturing facility in Workington following completion of the GDA process.

John Coughlan, CEO at TSP Engineering said: "This brings building of nuclear reactors home to Cumbria and brings design and manufacture of New Nuclear Technologies back to Great Britain, making Great Britain the centre of manufacturing of new nuclear technologies in line with the recent governments aim to bring innovation back, making Great Britain once again a centre for innovative developments.

"This announcement and manufacture of the NuCell reactor will enable Great Britain to develop its own energy supply and become a global leader with the first NuCell reactor units targeted to be manufactured by 2027, allowing TSP and Cumbria to be ahead of the rest of the world.

"This announcement will secure and grow employment within Cumbria across all trades, engineering disciplines and support professions.

"This will be a further support to the nuclear supply chain locally and nationally offering a secure growth path for support businesses and services for decades to come."

Workington's MP has welcomed the news, saying that the creation of the new reactors will be 'another boost' to the area's skills base, helping job growth throughout west Cumbria.

Mark Jenkinson MP said: “This announcement today that the ‘NuCell’ SMR will be manufactured at TSP in my constituency is fantastic news.

"As a supporter of industry and a strong advocate for new nuclear, I continue to fight hard to support and encourage investment in developments such as this.

"We are fortunate to have a strong supply chain for the nuclear industry in the Workington constituency.

"Manufacturing and design of new nuclear in Cumbria will be another boost to our local skills base – and will help grow jobs and support innovation across the engineering sector in West Cumbria.

"The nuclear industry has its roots firmly established here, and it is great to see that we are building on our strengths and leading the way in innovation."