Dumfries and Galloway Council seeks local MPs and MSPs support for GB Energy headquarters at Chapelcross site.

Following on from earlier letters to the UK Government's Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Councillor Gail Macgregor, has now written to Dumfries and Galloway MPs and MSPs, seeking their support for Dumfries and Galloway Council to host the headquarters of the new GB Energy company at the site of the former Chapelcross nuclear power station near Annan.

The site, which is almost 200 hectares in size, is already in the process of attracting investors, industries and developers. Our Council believes that the placement of GB Energy's headquarters here would be a natural progression of the already established site and recently launched Chapelcross Masterplan.

Positioned almost centrally to the whole of the UK, and with established grid connections, road access, and infrastructure, the site can accommodate a wide range of energy-related activities, such as hydrogen production and storage, carbon capture and utilisation, renewable energy generation and export, and circular economy solutions. It also has excellent transport links to the A74M and A75 with the potential for regional, national and international distribution from the site.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Gail Macgregor commented: "As I have stated previously, Chapelcross is a prime location to host GB Energy headquarters. The site is also recognised as a site for national development detailed in the National Planning Framework 4 and has been earmarked for redevelopment as a green energy hub since 2013. It was identified as a location for one of Scotland's thirteen regional hydrogen hubs, with an emerging hydrogen supply chain cluster.

"We would welcome the development for several reasons, but obviously it would provide a huge boost to our local economy and population by attracting skilled workers and upgrading local skills. This would also help to combat depopulation in Dumfries and Galloway by creating more high-qualityjobs and career prospects for our residents, especially in the green energy sector."

The Leader stated in the letter that she would welcome letters of support for the proposal by MPs and MSPsat the Chapelcross site which offers unparalleled advantages and opportunities for the future of energy in the UK.

You can read more about the site at www.cxproject.co.uk

ENDS