Britain to lead the global race for fusion energy to deliver lasting energy security
Government sets out its vision for developing a commercial fusion industry in the UK that will deliver skilled jobs, investment and growth.
- Britain becomes first country in the world with a clear path to commercial fusion that could ensure lasting energy security
- Construction partner announced for STEP prototype fusion power plant at West Burton, Nottinghamshire, with plant construction expected to start from 2030.
- Government backs innovation including developing the world’s most powerful fusion-dedicated AI supercomputer.
The government has launched its Fusion Strategy today (Monday 16 March), backing British jobs, investment and energy sovereignty and delivering on its Industrial Strategy.
The government is seizing the benefits of fusion head on as part of delivering its Industrial Strategy – making Britain the first country in the world with a clear path to commercial fusion energy. This is set to support over 10,000 UK jobs by 2030, drive investment, and give industry the confidence to take fusion from the lab to the grid, ready for deployment.
The strategy builds on the government’s record £2.5 billion investment in fusion research and development secured at the Spending Review, and the government’s £20 million cornerstone investment into Starmaker One, a UK fusion investment fund – backing British innovation and attracting the best technologies to UK shores.
Secretary of State, Ed Miliband, said:
From Nottinghamshire to Cumbria, and from the Oxford-Cambridge corridor to South Yorkshire, Britain has long been at the forefront of fusion energy.
With our Fusion Strategy, we’re going further – backing industry, supporting over 10,000 jobs, and paving the way for the ultimate long term energy security solution – clean, virtually limitless energy powered by British ingenuity and determination.
Dr Tim Bestwick, Group CEO of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), said:
UKAEA fully supports the UK Government’s Fusion Strategy and its ambition to position the UK as a global leader in commercial fusion technology. UKAEA Group is focused on delivering across this important national strategy, including key capabilities in world-leading fusion technologies. Our ambitious programmes are progressing the field of fusion and are closely aligned with the Government’s priorities.
The UK Government Fusion Strategy includes:
- STEP: A £200 million Construction Partner contract announced for the STEP prototype fusion powerplant to be built in West Burton. Backed by £1.3 billion of funding, UK Fusion Energy – which is to be renamed from UK Industrial Fusion Solutions – will be one of the best-capitalised fusion companies in the world, primed to deliver STEP.
- Sunrise AI Supercomputer: The government is investing £45 million to fund the world’s most powerful fusiondedicated AI supercomputer, developed in collaboration between UKAEA and the University of Cambridge, to accelerate fusion design, modelling and operations.
- International investment: A signal of confidence in the UK fusion programme as UKAEA and global energy tech company Eni have agreed to establish a company to advance fusion energy technologies. Further details about the venture will be announced in May 2026.
- Skills and investment: A plan backed by £50 million for the UK to be the home of fusion skills and innovation, with apprenticeships and an upcoming investment prospectus that will ensure countries invest and build for a bright future of fusion in Britain. This includes aiming to train over 2,000 people in fusion related disciplines.
Breakthroughs developed for fusion are driving advances far beyond energy – with the UKAEA announcing three new spin-off companies, with more imminent, that will drive fusion technological development into other industries. These opportunities span AI design of complex machinery, cutting-edge medical imaging technologies, advanced robotics for harsh environments, and microwave systems that support national defence.
Fusion was also recently included in the UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal, which outlined how British and American expertise will fast-track progress towards commercial fusion power. This included AI collaborations between industry and the UK Atomic Energy Authority to advance fusion energy research in the US and UK. The Fusion Strategy also comes ahead of the UK-US Global Fusion Policy Summit later this year.