New centre to kickstart quantum innovation launches at Harwell Campus

A new laboratory has officially opened at Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire to drive breakthroughs in quantum technology.

The 4,000 sq National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) will host 70 staff and 12 quantum computers, bringing together businesses, academics and government.

It’s also set to support the world’s first dedicated quantum apprenticeship programme, as well as 30 PhD studentships, summer placements and crash courses for those in industry.

Quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionise many industries, from healthcare to energy – promising a more efficient NHS, enhanced cybersecurity and a stronger digital infrastructure.

And the UK is at the forefront of that push, boasting the second-largest quantum sector globally with significant private investment behind it.

The newly opened NQCC will focus on leveraging quantum computing for optimising the UK’s energy grid, faster drug discovery, climate prediction and advances in AI.

Science Minister Lord Vallance visited Harwell Campus on Friday for the grand opening.

“The National Quantum Computing Centre marks a vital step forward in the UK’s efforts to advance quantum technologies,” he said.

“By making its facilities available to users from across industry and academia, and with its focus on making quantum computers practically useable at scale, this centre will help them solve some of the biggest challenges we face – whether it’s delivering advances in healthcare, enhancing energy efficiency, tackling climate change or inventing new materials.

“The innovations that will emerge from the work the NQCC will do will ultimately improve lives across the country and ensure the UK seizes the economic benefits of its leadership in quantum technologies.”

The centre will play a key role in the UK government’s ten-year quantum programme and as such is supported by an initial £93 million investment via the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

UKRI has also invested a further £50 million, including through the Technology Missions Fund.

Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser, chief executive of UKRI, added: “With our rich national heritage in quantum computing research, the UK is well-placed to lead the development of this transformative new technology, which has such huge potential across society and the economy.

“The UK National Quantum Computing Centre is central to this critical work, bringing together internationally leading researchers and technologists from across academia and industry to ensure that the UK’s quantum computing ecosystem thrives, delivering benefits to people across the UK and beyond.”