STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production)
West Burton, Nottinghamshire, UK (proposed site) · Design and development ongoing, targeting first operations for 2040 · Not yet fully determined, but significant government investment (part of £220m for MAST Upgrade, and broader fusion program)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchSTEP is a UK-led, world-leading programme aiming to accelerate the delivery of sustainable fusion energy. - The project represents a significant step from fusion research to the development of a commercial fusion power plant. - West Burton was selected as the proposed site, aiming to redevelop a former coal-fired power station site. - The project is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), highlighting its strategic importance for the UK's future energy mix.
Key engineering challenges
Designing and building the world's first prototype fusion power plant that generates net electricity. - Developing and integrating advanced fusion technologies, including high-temperature superconducting magnets and remote maintenance systems. - Establishing a regulatory framework for fusion power plants. - Overcoming the immense scientific and engineering challenges of sustained fusion reactions.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd
- Lead contractor
- Not yet determined (design phase)
- Lead designers
- UKAEA
- Project type
- new build | technology development
- Scale
- Prototype fusion power plant, aiming for net electricity generation
- Disciplines
- nuclear; fusion; mechanical; electrical; civil; structural; materials science; robotics; plasma physics; regulatory compliance
- Standards & frameworks
- UKAEA internal safety standards, future fusion regulatory framework
Sources: UKAEA Fusion Energy: STEP Fusion (https://www.ukaea.org/work/step/) - STEP Fusion: About (https://stepfusion.com/about/) - World Nuclear News: New company takes over UK's STEP fusion programme (https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/new-company-takes-over-uks-fusion-programme) - NIA UK: Britain on course to lead global race for fusion energy (https://www.niauk.org/britain-on-course-to-lead-global-race-for-fusion-energy-as-step-project-moves-from-research-to-delivery-at-west-burton/) - AtkinsRéalis: Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) (https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/projects/step)