DESNZ announces £410m investment in fusion energy development

Article summary

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced a £410m investment package to accelerate the development of fusion energy over 2025-26. This funding is intended to support various initiatives, including the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project and the Fusion Futures programme for skills development and new research and development facilities, among other initiatives. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) has shortlisted five organisations to become the engineering and construction partners for the STEP project. This project is designed to facilitate the construction of a prototype fusion power plant at the West Burton site in Nottinghamshire, scheduled for completion by 2040. UKIFS plans to conduct detailed discussions with the shortlisted organisations, with contracts expected to be awarded to one engineering and one construction partner by late 2025 or early 2026. The initial contract period will run until 2029, with further phases planned for long-term collaboration. The government also recently announced plans...