The STEP Fusion team recently hosted Invest in Nottingham and Marketing Nottingham for a site tour of the former West Burton power station, which is set to become the UK’s first prototype fusion energy plant.
STEP Fusion is working closely with local organisations like Invest in Nottingham to share the project’s fusion journey, raise awareness, and connect with local businesses, paving the way for future success in the region.
During the visit, the team saw how the site is being transformed into a hub for world-leading fusion energy, seeking first operations by 2040.
The programme is expected to advance the UK’s clean energy ambitions, delivering safe, abundant, and sustainable power whilst creating high-quality jobs, attracting skilled talent, and bringing significant economic opportunities to Nottinghamshire and beyond.
The West Burton site, which will play a significant role as part of the wider Trent Clean Energy Supercluster, is set to attract thousands of jobs in construction, boosting the region’s economy.
Invest in Nottingham praised the visit, recognising the exciting future ahead for both the project and the local area.
Whilst on site at West Burton, Chief Executive of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, Megan Powell Vreeswijk said:
What an exciting project this is. This is bringing pure, clean, green energy, so the research is happening here, and the investment is coming here.
For the region this will have a massive economic impact, and for the nation we’re going to be the leaders in fusion energy technology. These are really exciting times and we can’t wait to promote this as an opportunity for investment.
Notes to Editors
The first of its kind, STEP Fusion is the UK’s major technology and infrastructure programme to build a prototype fusion power plant that will demonstrate net energy, fuel self-sufficiency and a viable route to plant maintenance. This will pave the way for the potential development of a fleet of future fusion power plants around the world and the commercialisation of fusion energy.
We’ll achieve this by producing a prototype tokamak power plant – in an innovative spherical shape – that will demonstrate net energy. That’s why the programme is called STEP: it stands for ‘Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production’. But STEP Fusion is about more than tokamak technology – it’s a huge endeavour encompassing design, site development and construction, alongside supply chain logistics and industry. Fusion research and development has the potential to catalyse new ideas and technologies that will benefit multiple industries and help secure our future on this planet.
By fusing government and business, inspiration and pragmatism, theory and practice, UK-expertise and international impact, we’re going to realise the step-change that will secure humanity’s bright future. A recent report by AMION, commissioned by local authorities, set out the economic potential of the STEP programme.
Read the AMIOM report (PDF)
To sign-up for updates about STEP Fusion, visit: step.ukaea.uk or follow our social channels @STEPtoFusion.
