A PIVOTAL moment for the planned Moorside clean energy site could be on the way as the UK Government is set to discuss its nuclear energy strategy.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to have talks touching on nuclear energy’s role in the UK’s future energy strategy with business secretary Alok Sharma and chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison has been lobbying to keep plans at Moorside on the agenda and a White Paper from Government is set for release within weeks.

The deputy mayor of Copeland, councillor David Moore, said: “We’re all on the same page about the vision we have for Copeland.”

The meeting this month precedes a 10-point-plan from Government on reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Supporters of nuclear power believe Moorside can help achieve this goal.

Mr Moore said: “That vision should set the future for the next 50 to 60 years in Copeland. We’ve also heard MPs talk about the way this economy is going to come out of this pandemic, it’s going to be led by green energy.”

Mr Moore believes the Moorside masterplan will be key to a forward-looking new energy revival.

“If the Government is really committed to a green energy future, we’ve got here what’s key to that.

“We made a massive investment in time and money in producing this document, we’re eagerly awaiting someone to fire the starting gun.”

Mr Moore says that the Government showing a commitment to nuclear energy is “vitally important.”

“We’ve got investment, we’ve got a plan and the vision – what we need is the Government’s commitment to put those ingredients together," he said.

Six nuclear sites that could house clean energy projects were identified a decade ago but so far only one, at Hinkley Point in Somerset, is under construction.

The Moorside Clean Energy Hub project, which was launched at the end of June, proposes the development of two EPR-type reactors, the same as those under construction in Somerset. SMR reactors could be seen on the site with Rolls Royce and EDF Energy both expressing an interest.

Mr Moore added that nuclear-generated hydrogen is a viable option in Copeland and it is hoped the Moorside site will see other forms of clean energy production in addition to nuclear.

In a recent meeting with supporters of nuclear power, MP Mrs Harrison said: “My interest in nuclear is personal, it’s professional and it’s political.

Mrs Harrison, vice chair of the all-party Parliamentary group for nuclear energy, said: “Personally I absolutely believe in nuclear power and nuclear energy as the way to reduce our carbon emissions but also the way to level up and produce really good-quality jobs and apprenticeships in my local area and right across the county as well.”

The Sizewell C Consortium behind Suffolk site has pledged around £2.5 billion to supplier contracts in northern England.