READING, England (Chatnewstv.com) — Construction has officially begun on a new state-of-the-art headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), marked by a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday at the University of Reading’s Whiteknights Campus.
The facility, scheduled to open in early 2027, will house up to 300 scientists and staff and is designed to support world-leading research in weather forecasting, climate modelling, and the use of artificial intelligence in meteorology. The ECMWF is relocating from its current home at Shinfield Park, where it has operated for half a century.
“The UK is proud to continue to host the headquarters of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts,” said Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. “This state-of-the-art facility places the UK at the heart of international efforts that are helping us to make better sense of our weather and climate.”
Lord Vallance said improved weather predictions have practical value, helping “people and businesses to save money, cut energy use and stay safe.”
Funded through the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the new headquarters will meet industry-leading net zero carbon standards and is being delivered by the Government Property Agency (GPA), in partnership with construction firm Mace and architects BDP.
“It is a landmark occasion to get construction underway of this new facility,” said GPA Chief Executive Mark Bourgeois. “This project is a perfect example of cross-government collaboration which will deliver a modern, inspirational and energy-efficient headquarters for ECMWF’s forecasting, research and training functions.”
ECMWF Director General Florence Rabier welcomed the move to a more modern and collaborative space. “After 50 years at Shinfield Park, we are pleased that this move to state-of-the-art sustainable premises will bring us even closer to many colleagues at the university,” Rabier said.
Reading is already home to an exceptional concentration of meteorological expertise, including the university’s Department of Meteorology, parts of the UK Met Office, and two National Environment Research Council centres: the National Centre for Atmospheric Sciences and the National Centre for Earth Observation.
The new ECMWF HQ is expected to enhance this cluster, reinforcing the UK’s central role in global efforts to improve weather forecasting and climate research.
