The National Cryogenic Facility
The National Cryogenic Facility (NCF) will be an ASTeC-led user-focused facility at STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory, planning to open late 2028. £51.2m of government funding was announced for this facility in March 2026.
NCF will build on existing cryogenic capability and expertise within ASTeC to support the wide range of sectors that require operation at cryogenic temperatures, including quantum computing, fusion energy, green aviation and space. It will incorporate a large-scale cryoplant that will enable processes to be carried out at cryogenic temperatures including 2, 4 and 20 Kelvin.
The facility will include both dedicated lab space for anchor tenants and a multi-user lab. We expect initial anchor tenants to be quantum computing companies, using NCF’s cryogenic infrastructure to enable upscaling of technologies.
The multi-user lab, which will be supported by skilled STFC staff, will provide industry and academic users with access to a range of test equipment to assess the performance of materials and components.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves visiting Daresbury SuRFlab cryogenic facility in Sep 2024.
Mark Thompson, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at PsiQuantum, said: “PsiQuantum is proud to have deep roots in the United Kingdom, which has long been a leading driver of expertise and innovation for quantum computing technologies. The Government’s new investments across the industry—especially in the critical infrastructure at the National Cryogenic Facility in Daresbury—reflect the important role of robust public-private partnerships in building up the infrastructure, innovation, and talent that will ultimately deliver utility-scale quantum computing and sharpen the UK’s tech leadership.”
Loren Jones, Senior Vice President and Head of Amentum’s Energy & Environment-International business, said:
“The National Cryogenic Facility (NCF) represents a landmark investment in the UK’s industrial capability and benefits a range of key industries, from energy and aerospace, to medical and manufacturing. For companies like Amentum, which is involved in some of the UK’s largest nuclear projects, the NCF provides a vital sovereign capability to support the nation’s energy security and export capabilities. Paired with the High Temperature Facility in Warrington, the North West of England is the natural home for the UK’s extreme temperature testing, supporting the nuclear resurgence and the economic benefits it brings.”
Dr Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum, said:
“The UK’s National Cryogenic Facility is an important step toward building the infrastructure that advanced quantum technologies will require as they scale. Reliable access to large-scale cryogenic capability will accelerate progress across the global quantum ecosystem. Initiatives like this demonstrate how continued investment in foundational infrastructure can support the growth of the quantum economy.”
Loren Jones, Senior Vice President and Head of Amentum’s Energy & Environment-International business, said:
“The National Cryogenic Facility (NCF) represents a landmark investment in the UK’s industrial capability and benefits a range of key industries, from energy and aerospace, to medical and manufacturing. For companies like Amentum, which is involved in some of the UK’s largest nuclear projects, the NCF provides a vital sovereign capability to support the nation’s energy security and export capabilities. Paired with the High Temperature Facility in Warrington, the North West of England is the natural home for the UK’s extreme temperature testing, supporting the nuclear resurgence and the economic benefits it brings.”
For more information and all enquiries, please contact us.
