South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS) has agreed terms to sell off its science and technology campus in Berkeley, Gloucestershire. The higher education institute announced on Monday (January 29) it has selected Chiltern Vital Group (CVG) - a 海角视频 project developer in the zero-carbon energy, digital education and tech sectors - as its preferred bidder.
CVG has an existing project portfolio in excess of 拢1bn. One of its significant shareholders is Vital Energi - also a major player in the zero-carbon energy space, which includes the decarbonising and re-use of waste heat.
The multimillion-pound science and technology park is home to nearly 400 students who are enrolled at the SGS University Technical College (UTC). The higher education provider has said UTC will maintain its operations amid the campus transition - and for the long-term future.
The SGS board formalised heads of terms on January 25 and any agreement is expected to be completed after due diligence on or before July 2024.
Kevin Hamblin, chief executive of SGS College Group, said the possible acquisition of SGS Berkeley by the energy consortium would create a partnership that "embodies a mutual commitment to spearheading innovations in nuclear technology".
He said: 鈥淭his collaboration would be pivotal for SGS College, as it ensures the ongoing role of the college at SGS Berkeley as a key educational partner, providing tailored training and research opportunities in line with the ground-breaking advancements championed by the consortium. The sale would mark a significant milestone in the college鈥檚 history, promising to create a new era of energy innovation and educational excellence in the region.鈥
SGS has said the agreement will 鈥渆nable significant commercial investment鈥 into the site and provide 鈥渟ignificant economic opportunities鈥 to the sub-region. It also said the sale would ensure the continuation of 鈥渉igh-quality education鈥 in engineering and digital technologies and the presence of UTC at Berkeley was 鈥渃rucial鈥 for fostering future talent.
Chris Turner, chief executive of CVG and chairman of the Yorkshire Energy Freeport Park, said: 鈥淲e are very honoured to have been selected by SGS College as the preferred bidder to deliver this international advanced zero-carbon nuclear technology park for training, further and higher education, research and development, and applications testing.鈥
Mr Turner said the project represented the "first step" in the creation of a Severn Edge zero-carbon hub, including the potential for deployment of new nuclear generation technology such as small modular reactors (SMRs) at Oldbury.
鈥淲e are pleased the Western Gateway partnership has acknowledged our proposal as complementary to their work leading the Severn Edge project with the support of landowners and local authorities," he said. "This initiative can only serve to attract more high technology inward investment and create a wide range of sustainable, long-term, skilled jobs in the region.鈥
CVG is currently working with Rolls Royce Small Modular Reactors and the University of Bristol to establish a low-carbon energy 鈥榮uper cluster鈥 at Berkeley and Oldbury that SGS said 鈥渨ould greatly facilitate鈥 the future deployment of SMRs and related technologies.
Councillor Mark Hawthorne, vice-chair of Western Gateway and leader of Gloucestershire County Council, added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see our vision for a Severn Edge low-carbon energy campus at Berkeley and Oldbury moving one step closer with this nuclear innovation opportunity. The Western Gateway brings together the great business, academia and local leaders we have across South Wales and Western England to build on our potential to unleash world leading innovation and create economic growth.
鈥淲e want to see our Severn Edge sites creating new green jobs and skills opportunities for local communities whilst also providing the low carbon energy we need to power our economy. I look forward to working with the consortium as we continue to make the case for this area to lead a clean energy revolution for the country.鈥
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