Welcome to the heart of UK Nuclear - Birchwood Park
The North West is home to the UK's leading nuclear engineering, innovation, and testing facilities, as well as the country's largest concentration of nuclear jobs. At the centre of it all sits Birchwood Park — the region's leading employment hub and collaborative base for the industry’s major organisations, with more nuclear specialists based here than anywhere else in the UK.
Locate your business in the UK’s Innovation Hub
30+ Organisations 6,000+ Nuclear specialists National-Level Impact
The North West is the UK’s most significant nuclear region, directly employing 13,635 and supporting over 100,000 indirect supply chain jobs people across 178 nuclear-focused businesses.
Together, these organisations contributed £5 billion in direct spend and £4.9 billion in GVA to the regional economy in 2024 – and the sector is forecast to grow by 49% by 2030, creating thousands of high-skilled jobs.
13,635 direct nuclear sector jobs (2024)
178 nuclear-focused businesses in the region
£15Bn forecast economic impact by 2030
49% job growth forecast in the North West nuclear sector
Established cluster of expertise and experience
Servicing all the UK's major Nuclear Programmes
Coperland
Sellafield Licensed Nuclear Site
Lancashire
Heysham
Springfields
Manchester
Dalton Institute
Cheshire
Great British Nuclear
Capenhurst
Liverpool
Office of Nuclear Regulation
University of Liverpool
North Wales
Wylfa
13,635 Direct Nuclear Jobs³
13,635 direct nuclear jobs
The North West is home to 13,635 direct nuclear jobs, half of these are within Birchwood Park making it the UK’s leading region for nuclear employment. These roles span engineering, regulation, research, decommissioning, operations and support functions. The sector provides highly skilled, long-term career opportunities and supports thousands more jobs in the wider supply chain.
178 nuclear-focused businesses
Across the North West, 178 nuclear-focused businesses are actively contributing to the UK’s civil nuclear sector. These include major engineering firms, safety regulators, R&D organisations, decommissioning specialists and a strong base of SMEs. This network provides a complete nuclear supply chain – and it's anchored by Birchwood Park, where more than 30 of these organisations operate in close collaboration on one campus.
£5Bn direct spend & £4.9Bn GVA
In 2024 alone, the North West’s nuclear industry generated £5 billion in direct spend and contributed £4.9 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the regional economy. This reflects the scale, complexity and long-term value of the sector’s work. From energy production and fuel cycle services to infrastructure and waste management, the region plays a vital economic role — with Birchwood Park housing some of the most strategically important operations.
49% job growth by 2030
The nuclear sector in the North West is forecast to grow by 49% by 2030, driven by new technologies, decommissioning projects and investment in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This equates to thousands of new high-value, highly skilled jobs – many of which will be based in and around Birchwood Park. As the sector evolves, Birchwood Park and the Northern Nuclear Alliance are playing a central role in fostering collaboration, developing skills, and driving forward the UK’s clean energy future.
Critical Employers Choose Birchwood Park
Leading nuclear organisations trust our location and facilities
Almost half of all nuclear jobs in the North West are located Warrington – with Birchwood Park as the focal point of this national capability.
Proximity to Regulators & Talent
Direct access to key decision makers and the UK's largest nuclear talent pool
Home to the Nuclear Northern Alliance
The Northern Nuclear Alliance drives growth and innovation from its base at Birchwood Park
Secure Infrastructure
Enhanced security measures meeting nuclear sector requirements
Flexible Space
Scalable office or warehouse work spaces with the flexibility to support your growth or project timescales
Join the Northern Nuclear Alliance
Connect with industry leaders and stay informed about regional nuclear opportunities
The Northern Nuclear Alliance (NNA) is a collaborative network of nuclear-focused organisations working together to strengthen the industry across the North West. Operating on a not-for-profit basis, the NNA connects businesses at all levels of the nuclear supply chain – from global contractors to specialist SMEs – to share knowledge, drive innovation, and champion growth.
Based at Birchwood Park, the UK’s largest concentration of nuclear employers, the NNA benefits from direct access to sector leaders, strategic decision-makers and future talent. Its presence on the park enhances collaboration, amplifies regional strengths, and helps position the North West as the UK’s nuclear powerhouse.
Looking to locate your business in the heart of the UK's thriving nuclear cluster ?
