A new masterplan for the future of Chapelcross and the development of a new Green Energy Hub, has been unveiled.

The development of the hub will transform the local economy, creating the conditions for growth and actively kick-starting and progressively building a market with high value jobs, skills and activities in the green energy economy.

The multi-million pound, net-zero focused development will include hydrogen production, storage and associated logistics, advanced manufacturing, energy and enterprise campuses.

Renewable energy production in the South of Scotland exceeds local need, providing a competitive platform for the region to benefit from the energy transition. Chapelcross has the scale of site, legacy infrastructure and transport connectivity, along with established investment interest to act as a regional catalyst for green growth.

Almost 60 hectares of the northern part of the site will be developed with the aim of generating jobs and economic activity for Annan and the surrounding region. A series of artist impressions illustrate how the future Chapelcross Green Energy Hub will look, as momentum at the Annan site gathers pace.

Dumfries and Galloway Council Leader, Councillor Gail Macgregor, said: "By commissioning this masterplan, we have a clear vision for delivering future jobs which supports our transition to net zero for the region. We are united with Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and South of Scotland Enterprise in our ambition for the future of Chapelcross as a powerful force for change in the local economy and look forward to the design developing."

Scottish Government has already included the site as a regional hub in its Hydrogen Action Plan, recognising the area has an emerging hydrogen supply chain cluster, including hydrogen enabled industrial boilers produced at nearby Cochran UK in Newbie.

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The NDA are now looking to identify a strategic partner who will bring expertise and private finance to help deliver the partners' vision for the site. Avison Young, land agent for the NDA, have today released a Request for Proposal for the private sector to develop the northern area of the Chapelcross site.

Strategic Partner Proposals must be submitted by 25th October 2024 and the NDA hope to make an appointment early in 2025. NDA CEO, David Peattie, said: "We are committed to decommissioning our sites safely, securely and sustainably, leaving a positive, long-lasting legacy for future generations.

"Our ultimate aim is to free up our land for reuse, delivering benefit to local communities the environment and the wider economy - the green energy hub will enable us to deliver this at Chapelcross.

"The masterplan marks tangible progress in making the hub a reality and is a testament to the value of partnership working. Selecting a strategic developer will enable us to build on this further and leverage the benefits of public and private sector collaboration."

South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) is also taking forward an Energy Transition Zone on a 6.5-hectare section of land adjacent to the main Chapelcross site, which will aim to generate jobs and inward investment focussed on the transition to green energy production.

Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of SOSE, said: "We are delighted to be progressing our Energy Transition Zone which will kickstart the development of the Green Energy Campus on the main Chapelcross site.

"We are committed to working with our Chapelcross partners to ensure this excellent location leads our region to a new economy based on green energy production."

Richard Murray, NRS Chapelcross Site Director, added: "We welcome the CX masterplan, which builds on our rich history of low carbon energy generation and repositions this for a green energy future. The NDA landholding and the site's range of existing utilities and grid infrastructure will maximise our contribution to net zero and support sustainable economic growth. The significant release of 60 hectares of NDA land to support phase one is the equivalent of 84 adult football pitches!

"NRS will continue to play an important, strategic role in this project and is committed to retaining vital skills in the region for future developments through our comprehensive decommissioning programme, ensuring that we keep the energy sector supply chain vibrant and robust in our communities - securing opportunities and benefits for all our futures."

Plans are also in development by Elgin Energy for a 150Mw Battery Storage facility on the adjacent land.

The overall Chapelcross Programme includes a number of partners including Dumfries and Galloway Council, Nuclear Restoration Services (formerly named Magnox), Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.

Chapelcross is a former nuclear power plant near Annan which is over 210 hectares in size. Decommissioning work at Chapelcross started in 2004.

Work on the next level of masterplan detail will soon commence, considering site infrastructure and phasing along with access improvements.

The plans are supported by Investment of up to £15.3 million from both UK and Scottish Governments (£7.5m from Scottish Government and £7.8m from UK Government) through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal which could help to finance the access and utility improvements.