A record amount of funding is being allocated to fusion energy, including here in the East Midlands, to drive growth in the energy of the future.
The Government has announced a £410 million investment to develop cutting-edge fusion energy, which promises to be a safe, low-carbon and sustainable part of the world’s energy supply, with the potential to help sustain net zero in the future.
The funding has been announced as five construction and engineering partners have been shortlisted by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) to help construct a world-leading fusion power plant in Nottinghamshire by 2034, unlocking limitless clean power and creating thousands of new jobs.
The prototype fusion energy plant is located on the site of a former coal power plant in Nottinghamshire and will revitalise a UK industrial heartland, supporting new, skilled jobs in former coal communities.
This new funding will assist in the development of the skills needed for scientists, engineers, welders, and programme managers to enter the industry, which will all help deliver on the mission for the UK to become a clean energy superpower.
Welcoming the funding to the region, the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This is fantastic news for Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands, a region that’s ready and willing to lead the way in clean, green energy.
“I am delighted the Government is committed to this investment in the East Midlands and look forward to working together to kickstart a green industrial revolution, creating skilled jobs in our former coal-mining communities.”
This new investment from the Government comes just a month after the Mayor and the Board at East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) made a commitment to fund up to £3 million from their Investment Fund to move delivery forward for the Trent Clean Energy Supercluster, which centres on three former coal-fired power stations located alongside the River Trent: West Burton, High Marnham and Cottam, all in Bassetlaw.
The West Burton power station site, in north Nottinghamshire, will be home to the ground-breaking STEP prototype fusion energy plant.
The Mayor and EMCCA are committed to addressing the global climate crisis and tackling climate change, taking the region on a journey to net zero and becoming carbon neutral by 2050, which includes promoting the use of renewable, clean energy.
Speaking about their £410 million investment in fusion, the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, said:
“After scientists first theorised over 70 years ago that it could be possible, we are now within grasping distance of unlocking the power of the sun and providing families with secure, clean, unlimited energy.
“Britain is at the forefront of this global race to deliver fusion, and today’s record level of funding will provide investment and economic growth through our Plan for Change, delivering on net zero and creating the clean energy of the future.”
Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy said:
“Last year, Nottinghamshire marked the end of coal in our country after 142 years, and today it starts the process to create the energy of the future.
“We are taking a step forward in the global race to commercialise fusion, growing our economy, attracting investment and harnessing the power of the sun to create clean, limitless, secure energy.
“This is what our clean energy transition is about – creating jobs in our local communities and building the skills that we need on the path to net zero.”
Prof Sir Ian Chapman, UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) CEO, said:
“I am delighted by the strong support from Government to delivering fusion as a safe, sustainable energy of the future, and to anchor this exciting new industry in the UK.”
Fusion uses the same process that powers the sun by combining two forms of hydrogen and heating them to extreme temperatures, releasing vast amounts of energy. The UK is at the forefront of the global race to commercialise fusion and unlock its potential.
The multi-stage procurement process to deliver a fusion plant, known as STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), is led by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Group.
The shortlisted companies will undertake detailed discussions with UKIFS, with one successful engineering and one successful construction partner set to be awarded contracts, worth an initial combined value of hundreds of millions of pounds, in late 2025 or early 2026.
Minister for Climate and Bassetlaw MP Jo White said: “Today’s announcement by the Energy Secretary of a new £410 million fusion energy fund to rapidly develop the technology and progress the site at West Burton in Bassetlaw is a game changer for our area, unlocking thousands of new, high-skilled jobs on our doorstep. Bassetlaw is leading the world on fusion energy, and the Government is right behind this.”
