NCEO welcome the announcement that planning permission has been granted to develop a new headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts at the University of Reading.
The Government has been granted planning permission to develop a new cutting-edge headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) at the University of Reading, with an anticipated completion date in 2026.
The new facility, designed to be at the forefront of technology and sustainability, will house around 300 scientists and professionals dedicated to advancing weather prediction and climate research. Leveraging techniques such as data assimilation and earth system modelling, the centre aims to refine forecasting accuracy and deepen our understanding of climate change dynamics.
The University is already home to it’s world renowned Department of Meteorology, the National Centre for Earth Observation, National Centre for Atmospheric Sciences and parts of the UK Met Office. The addition of the new ECMWF HQ will secure one of the largest clusters of weather and climate research and operational forecasting facilities in the world at the University of Reading.
Professor Sarah Dance, NCEO Divisional Director at the University of Reading said:
We are delighted to hear that the plans for ECMWF’s new building on the University of Reading campus has been approved. We already work closely with ECMWF colleagues and this development will further boost our opportunities for collaboration.
ECMWF member state flags
The project is funded through the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and will be designed to industry-leading net zero carbon standards.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Minister Alex Burghart, said:
Ensuring the UK stays at the forefront of the global science and technology sector is essential to delivering long-term economic growth and security across the country.
Reading is the ideal location for this new headquarters, perfectly positioned to access the University’s strong talent pipeline and create fantastic new opportunities for the next generation.
Digital visualisation of new ECMWF HQ