nuclear-news

BEC showcases nuclear powered A.I data centre, Pioneer Park (and Radiation Free Lakeland protestors were there)

By Gareth Cavanagh

RESIDENTS of West Cumbria were given the chance to shape a nuclear-powered
AI data centre, at a consultation event on Tuesday. Early ideas and
ambitions for Pioneer Park were showcased to the public at The Peddler in
Whitehaven on Tuesday July 14.

BEC is planning the community impact of the
development and overseeing the production of a master-plan. Appointed to
the project by Cumberland Council and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
(NDA), BEC says it is committed to ensuring Pioneer Park improves the lives
of West Cumbrians.

Pioneer Park will see a Small Modular Reactor (SMR)
developed at Moorside, neighbouring Sellafield, the immense amounts of
energy it will generate will be used to power an innovative A.I data
centre. Attendees of the event heard that excess energy produced by the
nuclear reactor could support Sellafield in its decommissioning mission and
even power homes to support those in fuel poverty.

The nuclear industry and
Cumberland Council is also considering whether the development could be
used to lower the cost of energy for communities and improve efficiency for
community facilities. Chief Executive Michael Pemberton told Newsquest
Cumbria that BEC is an enabler for the project.

Activists from Radiation
Free Lakeland protested the event, holding placards and flags about the
potential impact on the River Ehen as well as the ‘false advertising’ of
clean energy. Marianne Birkby told Newsquest Cumbria that Radiation Free
Lakeland were protesting the event “to show some resistance to the plan
that’s been called clean energy, which is a nuclear powered A.I data centre
between Sellafield, the River Ehen and Beckermet. BEC tasked Mott MacDonald
and WSP with the creation of Pioneer Park masterplan in March. Mr Pemberton
said that although the Government asked for the master-plan to be completed
in 18 months, he challenged its authors to have it ready in six.

Carlisle News & Star 16th July 2026

July 22, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, UK