Sun Power: £600 million contracts to build fusion energy plant

Bidding to begin building the world’s first nuclear fusion energy plant in Nottinghamshire will begin within weeks.

The pioneering work at the decommissioned West Burton A power station near Retford will be constructed by 2040, using the same clean energy process which powers the sun.

The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) could produce large amounts of clean energy and reduce reliance on oil and gas.

The bidding process to find a company to handle construction and another to handle engineering – collectively worth around £600m – will formally open on May 22.

The initial contracts will be awarded in late 2025 and will last until 2029.

The STEP project is being led by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, which is owned by the UK Atomic Energy Authority.

A new government policy issued May 8th also proposes declaring all fusion energy facilities as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

This means they would be given approval by a Secretary of State rather than local authorities, which it says removes the risk for first-of-its-kind facilities.

It is hoped that the STEP project would bring hundreds of highly skilled jobs to the region and significant investment.

Paul Methven, CEO of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, said:

“We are looking towards a very significant milestone for STEP in the next two weeks as we are set to launch our search for industrial partners in engineering and construction who will join us in designing and delivering the STEP prototype plant at West Burton.

“This will demonstrate that fusion energy can work, and through that endeavour, we will develop an industry that can deliver commercial fusion for decades beyond.

“The launch of formal consultation on a National Policy Statement for fusion energy is very welcome and an important milestone in the journey towards a new energy source, deployed in the right way.

“It reflects the UK’s proactive leadership in fusion energy by putting in place the critical enablers that all fusion developments will need, and in a way that will bring communities and the public along.”

Minister for Nuclear and Renewables, Andrew Bowie, said:

“Fusion could provide a near limitless source of energy and the UK is leading the way in trying to harness this power and deliver long-term energy independence.

“Building STEP is a major opportunity for the sector and will provide investment and jobs in a former industrial area of Nottinghamshire.”

Source: West Bridgeford Wire