NOTTS SITE AT THE 'GLOBAL CENTRE' FOR NEW CLEAN ENERGY

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE is set to be “the global centre” of a new type of energy due to a “world-first” £2.5 billion project, a leading figure in the programme has said.

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

A new energy plant - hoping to be the first of its kind - is to be built at the site of the former West Burton A power station near Retford.

The project, called Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP), is aiming to create a new type of energy using the same process that powers the sun.

More than 10,000 jobs are expected to be created from the site’s creation, and it is believed the whole area could be transformed due to an increase of business and trade in North Nottinghamshire.

A nearby railway station is set to be built, with significant road improvements to be made around the site, which is 330 hectares long, equivalent to 462 football pitches.

While not set to be completed until 2040, work at the former power station has begun, with demolition to end in 2028. The Government chose West Burton as the location for the new project in 2022, with the importance of the area’s significant industrial and mining history highlighted.