A global technical consultancy has opened a new engineering and technology centre in West Cumbria.

Jacobs has opened the 1320 metre squared high-bay facility in Egremont, one mile from the Sellafield.

The company, which is headquartered in the United States, says it will serve a growing demand for engineering development expertise to design, build and test new technologies and techniques.

“This new facility underlines our commitment to West Cumbria and complements the test rig facilities at our Technology and Innovation Center in Birchwood, near Warrington, which are used extensively by Sellafield Ltd engineering design teams based nearby,” said Jacobs' critical mission solutions international senior vice president Clive White.

“Across these facilities, we collaborate with clients and suppliers, developing new technology or adapting established systems from industries such as the medical and space sectors, to find safer, faster and more cost-effective ways to dismantle and decommission nuclear facilities.

"Our solutions minimize human intervention, make waste characterization and handling more cost-efficient, and reduce waste volumes.”

The new centre, on the Beckermet Industrial Estate, has a 30m tall high bay test tower, a six meter deep test pit, 20 and 60 tonne overhead cranes, conferencing facilities and office space.

The company said a full Covid-19 risk assessment was carried out before Jacobs staff moved in.

It says the centre adds to Jacobs’ capabilities in designing and testing for the nuclear and defence sector, including hazard reduction at Sellafield and other nuclear sites in the UK.

“This new facility will be a centre for collaboration with highly innovative small and medium-sized enterprises based in Cumbria,“ says Jacobs' critical mission solutions international vice president for technology and consulting Greg Willetts.

“We see our role as a developer and integrator of technologies, using our knowledge from hundreds of nuclear projects around the world to create fit-for-purpose systems for decommissioning."

Based in Dallas, Texas, Jacobs provides technical professional and construction services, as well as scientific and specialist consultancy across the world.