An energy minister has visited the Heysham nuclear power site and spoken to apprentices about the chances of building a third power station in future.
Andrew Bowie, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security, visited Heysham 2 with David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale.
Mr Bowie spoke to apprentices during National Apprentice Week, about their apprenticeship and their hopes for the future of the energy industry.
Mr Morris said they also "talked about the future and the build of Heysham 3".
"At the moment we need a small modular reactor to be type approved ready to be rolled out on the designated nuclear sites, of which Heysham is one, across the country," said Mr Morris after the visit.
"This Great British Nuclear competition is currently ongoing to design a reactor with companies being shortlisted at each stage and contracts expected to be signed with a winning design at the end of 2024."
Heysham has been named on a government list of designated sites for a possible future new-build of a nuclear power station, and Mr Morris has long been a champion of a potential 'Heysham 3'.
Six organisations, including Heysham power stations owners EDF, had their designs selected to progress to the next stage of a government competition to support the development of innovative technology to boost Britain's energy security and sustainability.
The Small Modular Reactor (SMR) competition is part of the government's plan to revive nuclear power.
SMRs can largely be built in factories. The government has said that could make construction faster and more cost-effective, and that they have the potential to transform how power stations are built.
Ian Glaves, Acting Station Director at Heysham 2, said: “It was great to host Minister Bowie at Heysham last week to promote our site as a location for new nuclear development and highlight the incredible work being done to help Britain achieve Net Zero.”
Mr Bowie (pictured below with Mr Morris) said he was "delighted to meet the incredible workforce...over 1300 people on site right now delivering energy to around two million homes".
"We are investing strongly in nuclear power it's got a really bright future not just here in Heysham but around the country."
Meanwhile EDF recently announced plans to extend the lives of both Heysham 1 and Heysham 2, subject to funding and regulatory approval, with a decision due by the end of this year.
Read more: Plans announced to extend lives of Heysham power stations - Beyond Radio
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