The UK officially launched the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), a new 4,000-square-meter facility at Harwell Campus, aiming to drive advances in quantum technology across industries.
As seen in this video, the October 25 event, highlighted by the attendance of Science Minister Lord Vallance, showed off the Centre, which will host 12 quantum computers with open access for industry, academia and the public sector.
“The establishment of the National Quantum Computing Centre facility has really created a buzz in the quantum technology industry, and it has drawn companies like us and many others to work together to develop quantum technology and quantum computers hand in hand with the top-notch researchers at NQCC,” said Timothy Ballance, President, Infleqtion UK.
The opening of the center is part of the UK’s wider strategy to lead in quantum technology. Recent investments include £93 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), along with further funding for quantum research hubs and doctoral training centres. This support underscores the UK’s commitment to becoming a global leader in quantum technology, aiming to boost GDP, strengthen the NHS, and enhance digital infrastructure.
The initiative also includes the world’s first quantum apprenticeship program, as well as PhD studentships and short courses to build quantum skills across the UK.
The NQCC’s systems are accessible beyond government use, welcoming users from multiple sectors to explore potential applications in quantum computing. This initiative seeks to accelerate research and development advances in fields like energy, healthcare and artificial intelligence. For example, quantum technology has the potential to be used in calculations that can optimize energy grids, accelerate drug discovery, improve climate modeling and enhance fraud detection, potentially transforming industries reliant on complex data processing.
In recent remarks, Lord Vallance highlighted the UK government’s dedication to supporting quantum innovation and setting international standards. UKRI Chief Executive Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser also said that the NQCC will bring together experts from academia and industry to develop quantum hardware, software, and applications, positioning the UK at the forefront of this emerging technology.
“And as a national lab, I think we are uniquely able as a trusted authority to connect into all those different industrial sectors,” said Michael Cuthbert, director, NQCC.
Through its SparQ user engagement program, the NQCC has already begun working with some of these key industries to explore practical quantum solutions, while also emphasizing responsible and ethical innovation.
As a central part of the UK’s ten-year quantum program, the NQCC aims to be a collaborative hub, promoting cutting-edge research, fostering new talent, and advancing quantum applications that could reshape sectors across the UK in the future.
