An existing coal-fired power station n Rushcliffe has made the shortlist of what is hoped to be the world's first prototype fusion energy plant.

Part of the site at Ratcliffe-on-Soar has made it to the final five as part of a national search for potential locations by the government for alternative energy plants, with the final decision due to be announced in late 2022.

The UK Government is bidding to be the first to develop a commercial power station that will use the energy produced by fusion reactions to generate electricity. Fusion offers an inherently safe and virtually limitless source of clean electricity by copying the processes that power the sun.

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The project - Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production - known as STEP, is being led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).

The authority announced that part of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station site will now progress to the final stage of assessment and has the potential to host the fusion power station, aimed to be built by 2040.

Nottinghamshire County Council coordinated this nomination process for the county working with several partners, including the landowners of these sites as well as Rushcliffe Borough Council and Bassetlaw District Council.

Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Simon Robinson said: "The nomination of the Ratcliffe on Soar site for STEP had the full support of the Borough Council and so we are very pleased that it has got through the next stage of the assessment process and on the short list.

"Securing the best future use for the site is a priority and STEP, along with plans for a Development Corporation and Freeport, provides an incredible opportunity to have a world leading development in Rushcliffe which will bring many significant benefits for our communities and businesses.

"We look forward to working with our partners and UKAEA to progress the site through the next stage in the process."