The Severn Edge Vision, incorporating the decommissioned sites at Oldbury-on-Severn and Berkeley, as well as the land designated for new nuclear under the existing energy policy (NPS-6), sets out Western Gateway’s ambition to develop a low-carbon energy hub at Severn Edge. It forms part of Western Gateway’s wider vision to create a low-carbon super cluster, which will propel the South West and Wales further forward with its low carbon goals in energy developments, infrastructure and regional skills.
There continues to be significant interest in Severn Edge from government bodies, such as Great British Nuclear, and from a range of technology vendors and developers. Oldbury and Berkeley are primed and ready for development, with a supporting strong supply chains and construction expertise in highly regulated sectors.
Severn Edge offers the potential for new nuclear, synthetic aviation fuel and hydrogen production, alongside the wider renewable energy opportunities across wind, solar and tidal.
The low carbon energy hub combines the strengths of both Oldbury and Berkeley, and seeks to:
• Deliver a high quality, clean, green campus environment.
• Support low carbon energy developments and grow supply chains that fuel the local economy.
• Grow export opportunities
• Develop STEM skills infrastructure that will help drive new opportunities for local communities and level up areas of need
Adding to the appeal of the site, it has recently been announced that South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (SGS) is embarking on a transformative journey by signing Heads of Terms for a strategic disposal of their Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park at SGS Berkeley to a preferred bidder, Chiltern Vital Group (CVG). The disposal, subject to due diligence and contract, will enable significant commercial investment into this campus in order to provide significant economic opportunities to the sub-region.
Chiltern Vital Group is a leading UK project creator and developer in the zero-carbon energy, digital education and technology sectors, and has an existing project portfolio in excess of £1bn.
Vital Energi, a significant shareholder in CVG, is itself a leading UK player in the zero-carbon energy space., which includes the decarbonising and re-use of waste heat.
CVG is working with Rolls Royce Small Modular Reactors and the University of Bristol to establish a low-carbon energy ‘super cluster’ at Berkeley/Oldbury that would greatly facilitate the future deployment of SMR’s and related technologies. CVG’s plans for Berkeley include an increasingly important role for SGS College and the on-site SGS Berkeley Green UTC.