Sci-Tech Daresbury is set to take on an even more central role in the UK’s quantum future, after the government confirmed a £51 million investment in a new National Cryogenic Facility (NCF) at STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory.
Described as potentially the first open-access cryogenic user facility of its kind in the world, the NCF will enable ultra-low temperature testing critical to scaling the next generation of quantum technologies. Operating at temperatures close to absolute zero, the facility will provide large-scale liquid helium cooling infrastructure that industry has identified as essential for advancing quantum systems.
A landmark for the Liverpool City Region
The announcement further cements the Liverpool City Region and the wider North West as one of the UK’s most dynamic science and technology clusters. It comes on the back of growing demand from global quantum firms — including Silicon Valley-based PsiQuantum, which already operates an advanced R&D facility at Daresbury Laboratory.
The NCF will also be the first national facility established at the site since the closure of the Synchrotron Radiation Source in 2008, marking a significant milestone in Daresbury’s continued evolution as a home for nationally important infrastructure.
Paul Vernon, Head of STFC Daresbury Laboratory, welcomed the investment: “This new investment is a defining moment, not just for Daresbury Laboratory and the Liverpool City Region, but for the UK’s place in the global technology race. It unlocks quantum computing at scale and provides a major stepping stone for breakthroughs in renewable energy, healthcare, security, and other technologies that will shape our future.”
Wide-ranging applications
Beyond quantum computing, the facility is expected to support advances across several sectors, including the development and testing of superconducting magnets for fusion energy, materials innovation for next-generation MRI systems, and technologies underpinning hydrogen-powered flight and green aviation. These capabilities could accelerate new medical discoveries, enable cleaner energy solutions, and contribute to long-term energy security.
Massimo Noro, Director of Business Development at STFC, highlighted the broader significance: “The National Cryogenic Facility will give businesses access to world-class infrastructure and expertise to develop, test, and scale advanced technologies. It will accelerate innovation, reduce the risks of scaling up, and support the growth of existing companies across the region and beyond — while also helping build the UK’s future workforce through apprenticeships and advanced training.”
Strengthening the North West quantum cluster
The investment is expected to accelerate growth across the region’s existing quantum ecosystem. Companies including PsiQuantum, Quantum Design Oxford, Quantinuum, Amentum, and Quantum Exponential have all welcomed the announcement, describing the NCF as critical infrastructure for scaling the nation’s quantum ambitions and reinforcing the North West’s position as a leading UK hub for quantum technology industrialisation.