CONSTRUCTION work for a National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) has begun.

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.

READ MORE: Harwell Stone D-Day commemoration service

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

Herald Series: Inside of the new premises (Credit: NQCC)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”.

Herald Series: Mock up of the building (Credit: NQCC)Mock up of the building (Credit: NQCC)

READ MORE: Science facility holding large photo exhibition to commemorate upgrading

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.”

-

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

A message from our Editor

Thank you for reading this story and supporting the Oxford Mail.

If you like what we do please consider getting a subscription for the Oxford Mail and in return we’ll give you unrestricted access with less adverts across our website from the latest news, investigations, features, and sport.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok for more. 

You can also join the conversation in our Facebook groups: stay ahead of traffic alerts here, keep up to date with the latest from court here, share your favourite memories of Oxford here, get your daily dose of celebrity news here and take some time out with news that will make you smile. 

If you’ve got a story for our reporters, send us your news here. You can also list an event for free here.