A £150 million extreme environment centre which is planned to be built in the South West, is forecast to generate more than £270 million of direct economic impact for the region – increasing to more than £500 million when wider supply chain benefits are included.
The nationally-significant facility, which will be of strategic importance to the UK’s future resilience, security and economic growth, is being developed by NauteXe Global. It will feature a research and development test tank, measuring 60 metres by 40 metres, with depths of up to 30 metres.
The NauteXe Extreme Environment Centre (NEEC) will serve organisations that operate in complex and hazardous environments. It will allow operators to test their technologies in realistic simulated conditions – from the deep ocean floor to the harsh conditions of offshore wind installations and space – without the high cost, unpredictability and risk of live-environment trials. The test tank will be capable of simulating currents, waves and wind, and will support organisations across defence, offshore wind, subsea and space.
The facility is planned to be built at Exeter Science Park, which is part of the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone. It will position the region as a global centre for innovation and place it at the centre of some of the UK’s most strategically vital industries. It will catalyse regional economic growth, attract inward investment and create high-value skilled employment. Planning is expected to be submitted by the end of 2026 with the NEEC set for completion in 2029.
An independent strategic outline business case from specialist consultants Henham Strategy projects that the facility will support hundreds of jobs during construction and early operation, growing to more than 70 permanent roles at maturity. It will generate £274 million in direct GVA between 2028 and 2043, increasing by a further £240 million when wider supply chain and economic multiplier effects are included.
The development site is adjacent to the M5, close to junction 29. The plans also include an engineering and laboratory facility to support growth and supply chain development.
NauteXe Global, Exeter Science Park and its shareholders – Devon County Council, East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council and the University of Exeter – together with Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), underpinning their shared commitment to the project.
The development of the facility will be funded through private investment and project finance, with grant support targeted in the development stages. This includes match-funded grant support, which NauteXe Global has been awarded through The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator.
Marc Drew, Chief Executive of NauteXe Global, described the facility as a critical piece of national infrastructure, with the potential to strengthen UK resilience and accelerate innovation across sectors of strategic importance, including defence, offshore energy and advanced maritime autonomous systems.
He said: “A sovereign UK facility capable of delivering controlled, high-fidelity, repeatable extreme-environment testing at scale does not currently exist. That capability gap is slowing innovation across sectors that are strategically vital to the UK’s future resilience, security and economic growth.
“This facility will help address this national challenge by providing infrastructure that supports faster development, validation and deployment of technologies across defence, subsea critical infrastructure protection, offshore energy and autonomous systems.”
Marc added: “Selecting Exeter Science Park as the location for the NauteXe Extreme Environment Centre is a significant strategic advantage for NauteXe Global. It places us at the heart of the South West’s growing corridor of innovation. Its connectivity, with immediate access to the M5 and proximity to Exeter Airport, together with the established ecosystem at the site, made it an ideal location for a facility of this kind.
“The South West is increasingly recognised as the UK’s centre for maritime autonomy and uncrewed systems and sits adjacent to the Celtic Sea floating offshore wind zone, making it uniquely positioned to support the next generation of dual-use capability development, testing and operational readiness.”
Lindsay Lucas, Chief Executive of Exeter Science Park, said: “This is a nationally significant project which will be of strategic importance to the region. It aligns strongly with Exeter Science Park’s mission to generate high-value jobs, drive productivity and deliver lasting economic growth.”
“The South West is home to world-leading universities and genuinely groundbreaking research which create a unique environment for this facility to thrive. In addition, our region has deep expertise in the critically important sectors it will serve and the selection of Exeter Science Park as the location means the South West is perfectly placed to capture the full economic and employment benefits it will bring.”