AT least 200 jobs are on the way to Gloucester thanks to a £700million nuclear deal.
Horizon Nuclear Power, based at Gloucester Business Park, is now in the hands of Japanese giant Hitachi and locally they expect to recruit between 200-300 new workers.
The news removes the question mark hanging over the future of the company's 100-plus staff and puts it, and Gloucester, at the centre of the country's nuclear industry.
Richard Graham, MP for the city, called the deal "great news for Gloucestershire" and David Owen, chief executive of GFirst, which drives Gloucestershire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership), added: "I am delighted that this long-term investment has been announced. It will create much-needed skilled jobs in our county, while also recognising Gloucestershire as a real hub for nuclear excellence."
Contracts have been exchanged on the sale of the company, and completion is expected by the end of November. Horizon was put up for sale by German parent companies RWE and E.ON in March.
Alan Raymant, Horizon chief operating officer, stressed the need to move quickly now to recruit between 200 and 300 people.
Among the roles will be skilled engineers, experts in planning, design engineers, lawyers to public relation roles and those required to run the offices of a corporate company.
He said: "We expect our projects to contribute to sustainable economic developments at local level for decades to come."
The news has also been welcomed by those working with the next generation of skilled workers.
Jenny Ford, head of Gloucestershire College's School for Engineering, said: "This major investment into the county is great news.
"We are naturally excited by the prospect of new power stations being constructed locally, and building working relationships with these companies to support their future plans with local talent."
Horizon was set up by the energy giants to develop plans for new nuclear plants at Oldbury-on-Severn, South Gloucestershire, and Wylfa in North Wales.
