Two nuclear energy companies plan to transform a dormant Gloucestershire reactor site into a hub for advanced nuclear technologies.
ASP Isotope Inc (NASDAQ: ASPI) subsidiary, Quantum Leap Energy and Astral Systems have signed agreements to establish plants at the former Berkeley nuclear power station. The site, which shut down in 1989, still holds empty, decaying structures along the River Severn.
Chiltern Vital Group, the site’s developer, envisions a “nuclear centre of excellence.”
CEO Chris Turner claims the project could create up to 1,000 jobs. He called Berkeley “the centre of the world” for nuclear, low-carbon, and green technologies.
Quantum Leap Energy plans to manufacture fuel for the nuclear fusion industry. Bill Eden, from the company’s UK arm, says demand for this fuel is growing rapidly.
“There is so much research going on,” said Eden. “It needs specific fuel, and we will produce that here.” He believes commercial production could begin within two years.
Additionally, Astral Systems will focus on nuclear medicine. Led by Talmon Firestone, the firm aims to produce radioisotopes for targeted radiotherapy. This treatment directs radiation precisely to tumours, improving patient outcomes and reducing side effects. Nuclear medicine already plays a vital role in cancer diagnosis and therapy across the UK.
However, the country currently imports all its medical radioisotopes from reactors in Europe. In 2024, supply disruptions exposed the system’s vulnerability. Two reactors closed for planned maintenance, while a third suffered a fault.
“Something like 75 per cent of our supply was lost,” said Dr Stephen Harden of the Royal College of Radiologists.
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Talks are underway with multiple international companies
Firestone’s company has developed a method to produce radioisotopes without large fission reactors. The technology uses a compact steel tube less than two metres tall. Until now, trials took place in a small lab. Berkeley’s C35 building, with its unused nuclear waste bunker, offers the protection needed for full-scale production.
“This is one of the first batch of multi-state fusion reactors we’re building,” Firestone said. He described C35’s thick concrete walls as an ideal safeguard. The facility will enable both research and eventual commercial output.
Furthermore, Turner revealed that Chiltern Vital Group is negotiating with South Korean firms on maritime nuclear technology. He also stated that talks are under way with multiple international companies about nuclear and zero-carbon solutions.
Local leaders recognize the project’s potential but also see challenges. Berkeley town councillor Liz Ashton supports the creation of high-level tech jobs in the area. However, she raised concerns about transport links.
“There are lots of problems regarding the motorway junctions,” she said.
Additionally, Ashton called for improved public transport to limit car traffic on the narrow country road leading to the site.
Transport infrastructure could prove a decisive factor in planning approval. The site lies at the end of a single-track route, not built for hundreds of daily commuters. Turner acknowledges that these issues must be addressed alongside the ambitious technological plans.
In addition, environmental and safety assessments will be crucial. The station remains in decommissioning, and any new activity must meet stringent nuclear regulations. Proponents argue that using existing structures reduces the environmental impact compared to building from scratch.
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The vision is clear
Supporters also emphasise the broader benefits. Nuclear fusion fuel production could put the UK at the forefront of a global clean energy race. Domestic radioisotope manufacturing would strengthen healthcare resilience and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. The maritime nuclear initiative could further expand Britain’s role in next-generation shipping technologies.
Accordingly, the Berkeley project blends science, industry, and local regeneration. For Turner, the vision is clear: to take a quiet, partly abandoned site and make it a focal point for innovation. For Eden and Firestone, it is about turning specialised nuclear research into commercial reality.
If plans succeed, Berkeley’s name could once again be synonymous with nuclear achievement. The next steps include planning approval, infrastructure upgrades, and technology deployment. They will determine whether these ambitions become more than just bold words.
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joseph@mugglehead.com
