National Quantum Computing Centre Breaks Ground in Oxfordshire

A breaking-ground ceremony was held on 20^th September 2021 at the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) facility in Oxfordshire, ahead of the commencement of construction works. Professor Sir Peter Knight, Chair of the National Quantum Technology Programmes Strategy Advisory Board led the formal breaking-ground ceremony at the building site, based within the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) at the Harwell Campus.

Quantum computing has the potential to solve problems that are practically impossible even for the fastest of today’s supercomputers.

Unlocking this power will catalyse the development of new technologies to deliver benefits across society, ranging from the design of enhanced batteries for electric vehicles through to speeding up the discovery of new medicines and materials, as well as identifying the most efficient use of resources to help us become an environmentally-sustainable society.

The NQCC is a new research institution, representing a £93 million investment through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The centre is being delivered jointly by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

The NQCC is dedicated to accelerating the development of quantum computing by addressing the challenges of scaling the emerging technologies, enabling the UK to remain at the forefront of this transformative new field. The national centre is part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP)—a ten-year, £1 billion programme that aims to ensure the successful transition of quantum technologies from laboratory to industry.

This is an important step forward in the journey towards creating a flagship facility for the UK quantum community to harness the exciting potential of this technology. Breaking ground on this site brings us closer to realising our ambition of addressing the challenges in this burgeoning field by bringing together experts from the public, private and third sectors into one hub.

Dame Ottoline Leyser, Professor and Chief Executive, UKRI

The Centre will work with businesses, government and the research community to deliver quantum computing capabilities for the UK and support the growth of the emerging industry. Working closely with industry and research organisations, the NQCC will provide access to quantum computers as they come on stream, leading to new jobs, skills and knowledge creation.

This will help UK businesses and researchers to tap into the potential of this technology to develop a range of applications for quantum computing, fully unlocking its capabilities.

The landmark facility will build on the UK’s existing strengths in quantum computing,  establishing the NQCC as a world-leading scientific research institution. The ambition is to foster a vibrant environment that promotes collaboration between technologists and researchers, and attracts visitors and industry interest from across the UK and internationally.

The mixed provision of office, meeting and laboratory spaces will enable multidisciplinary teams to collaborate, providing the necessary infrastructure and an environment in which to design, build, operate and host quantum computers. The facility is due for completion in early 2023.

One of the most exciting things about quantum computing is that it will revolutionise the way that we can do all sorts of computational tasks, which at the moment are really limiting us. There are many examples of how we can use a quantum machine, for example, it is going to transform logistics and the simulation of important chemical processes.

Sir Peter Knight, Professor, Department of Physics, Imperial College London

Set to open in mid-2023, the 4035 sq. meters (1930 sq. meters footprint) building will ultimately provide space for over 120 residents and researchers from academia, industry, government, quantum partner organisations and quantum start-ups. 

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus was chosen as the ideal site for the hub as it also houses other complementary research capabilities at STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Diamond Light Source. Hosting the facility on the RAL site means the centre will be independent of any business or university ties, creating an ideal position to attract new industrial partners. Partners will be able to take advantage of the co-location of these national research facilities to collaborate and make progress in their own scientific research.

Commenting on this milestone, the NQCC Director Dr Michael Cuthbert said, “Watching our teams across UKRI working so well together with our external contractors throughout the conceptual, and engineering design stages has been really pleasing, especially with the additional challenges of home working and limited access to the site. The programme is not just about the facility and we continue to build our team as we recruit expertise into the new Centre and deliver our technology programme in parallel. Exciting times for the NQCC and today is an important milestone for us.”