National Quantum Computing Centre being built at Harwell

The facility, built by Wates Construction at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Didcot, aims to bring together academia, business, and the public sector to address the key challenges of quantum computing.

It will be working on scaling-up the technology, making it commercially viable, and exploring how to create economic value.

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Location of the new facility at Harwell (Credit: NQCC)

The programme is funded through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in partnership between the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and STFC.

Construction is due to be completed by the end of the year and includes new offices, meeting and laboratory spaces as well as the necessary infrastructure to design, build, operate and host quantum computers.

As well as creating new full-time job opportunities, 12 apprenticeships and additional work experience placements, the project will also divert over 98 per cent of waste from landfills and deliver a BREEAM Excellent scheme.

Inside of the new premises (Credit: NQCC)

Paul Chandler, executive managing director of Wates Construction Group, said: “The project will allow increased collaboration and provide new ways of working to help tackle the problems that classical computers can’t resolve.

“Working alongside the UKRI, we want to ensure that world-leading technological innovation continues to grow and flourish in the UK through having the best-in-class buildings that can facilitate it”.

Mock up of the building (Credit: NQCC)

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Dr Michael Cuthbert, director of NQCC, added: “It is a major step towards the UK’s ambition to build and support a vibrant and strong quantum ecosystem.”

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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