Britain’s drive to become a clean energy superpower today takes a major step forward with the launch of a new government strategy aimed at accelerating the development of fusion energy.
The STEP Fusion programme will lead to the first working fusion prototype power plant at the site of the former West Burton Power Station in Nottinghamshire – opening the doors to virtually limitless clean energy.
Government’s new Fusion Strategy, revealed today by Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, sets out a clear route-map for attracting private investment and building a home-grown fusion energy industry.
In another mark of progress, Government has also announced the appointment of a construction partner who will speed-up the £200m redevelopment of West Burton into a world-class destination for energy innovation.
Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward said: “This is a milestone moment for STEP Fusion and for the East Midlands. Government’s strategy builds real commercial momentum for fusion energy, while the announcement of a construction partner means that jobs and opportunities for communities and businesses across the region are now in sight.”
Lord Vallance said: “We can be proud that Britain will lead the way on research, innovation and skills for a future of limitless fusion energy. By backing our fusion industry, we are not only securing our future energy independence, but from innovation and research to engineers, we are also providing the skilled clean energy jobs of the future for British people.”
UK Fusion Energy CEO Paul Methven said the new strategy and the appointment of a construction partner marks a turning point for the programme.
He commented: “This the moment we move from research to delivery – setting a clear path to build the UK’s prototype fusion plant at West Burton.
“It also means that we’re beginning a journey to substantial employment around West Burton, and building up the world-class industry we need to deliver a new generation of clean energy power stations.”
The construction partner is named today as ILIOS Consortium, led by UK construction giant Kier Group and Nuvia. With partners AL_A, Aecom, and Turner & Townsend, they will redevelop the site of the former coal-fired power station, which closed down in 2023 after 57 years of energy generation.
Simon Matthews, programme director for ILIOS said: “This is a significant milestone in the UK’s transition to clean energy. Following an extensive and collaborative procurement
stage, we are proud to be selected as construction partner for the STEP programme and to be part of this innovative and transformative chapter in energy supply.
“Through our involvement on the STEP programme, we will help advance the UK’s future energy resilience and decarbonisation ambitions, supporting economic and regional growth, high-quality jobs and the development of a long-term, UK-based, fusion supply chain.”
On its own, the redevelopment project at West Burton will support the creation of 8,000 jobs when the project reaches its peak.
STEP Fusion’s progress will bring substantial benefits to people, businesses and the wider economy across the East Midlands, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire:
Mayor Claire added: “These announcements put our Trent Supercluster programme at the heart of the UK’s clean energy future, with STEP Fusion’s progress at West Burton supported by the investments in SMR nuclear at Cottam and clean hydrogen at High Marnham.”
The Trent Supercluster is a pioneering programme of clean energy and advanced technology projects that are transforming three former coal-fired power station sites — West Burton, High Marnham, and Cottam — into a world-class centre for sustainable growth and technology. The programme has the potential to: