Green plan to support new submarine production

A floating solar farm and a base to support off-shore wind production have been announced as part of plans to boost the UK's submarine production.

Associated British Ports (ABP) is behind the masterplan for the port of Barrow, in Cumbria, where BAE Systems manufactures submarines.

The plan also includes a special jetty for boats importing hydrogen.

The site is also working on designing a new type of submarine, as part of its AUKUS security agreement with the US and Australia.

Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow and Furness, said the focus on sustainable growth would have "long-lasting benefits" for the community.

ABP said it needed to increase its capacity to help with the shipping of sections of the new submarines.

The plan spans across three areas, an advanced engineering cluster, a net zero cluster and projects in the community.

ABP said it would support the AUKUS commitments made in 2021, when three countries agreed to work together on submarine and quantum technologies and artificial intelligence.

It also includes the ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

As part of the advanced engineering cluster, ABP said it had been working with BAE Systems to transfer land to help increase production capacity.

There are also plans to build the Barrow Energy Dock - a group of floating solar panels at Cavendish Dock, to provide power to the manufacturing site.

ABP said Barrow already supported the offshore wind industry with its five operation and maintenance (O&M) bases.

New bases are also planned including on a 4.7 acre site at Ramsay Way - the Walney Channel O&M base.

These would provide warehousing and marine access points for off-shore wind farms.

ABP said it would continue to work with other partners making Barrow "a more attractive place to live", including supporting proposals for a new "skills quarter" and the Barrow Marina Village project.

Councillor Jonathan Brook, leader of Westmorland and Furness Council said the projects were key to "unlocking Barrow’s potential".

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