Government plans for new fusion energy industry

The government has announced its intention to support the commercialisation of fusion energy.

Fusion energy research aims to capture the same energy process that powers the sun.

It also forms part of the government’s plans to harness new technologies to build a home-grown energy sector that “reduces reliance” on fossil fuels and price hikes.

By building a prototype fusion power plant, STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), the government hopes to deliver the world’s first prototype fusion power plant by 2040.

Science Minister George Freeman said: “Fusion energy could be the ultimate power of the future – low carbon, safe and sustainable – and we want the UK to continue to lead the world as we work to unlock its potential and build back greener.

“By putting in place the crucial foundations we’re setting out today, we will ensure the UK is uniquely placed to capitalise on this innovative and revolutionary energy source in the years ahead – helping to tackle climate change and reduce our dependence on unreliable fossil fuels at the same time.”

The strategy also aims for the UK to build a fusion industry which can export fusion technology around the world in subsequent decades.