The Government has launched a multi-stage competition to find industry partners, one in engineering and one in construction, to deliver the Sustainable Thermal Energy Partnership (STEP) prototype fusion plant.

The partners will form a world-leading public-private alliance led by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Group, to deliver the plant.

UKAEA, as one of the three 'Whole Plant Partners', will bring specialised expertise and resources to the STEP, forming an integrated alliance with the two successful bidders. STEP's construction will take place at West Burton, a former coal-fired power station site in Nottinghamshire, with the goal of showcasing net energy from fusion by the 2040s.

Intended to be long-term partnerships, the successful engineering and construction partners would be awarded contracts late 2025 / early 2026, worth an initial combined value of hundreds of millions of pounds during the initial contract period until 2029. The contracts will be phased, building progressively in-line with the development of the prototype plant.

An essential aspect of STEP's mission is to deliver a premier fusion supply chain, protecting the UK's position as a frontrunner in this emerging technology and industry. Through this initiative, the programme seeks to lay the groundwork for fusion commercialisation, potentially fostering a network of future plants globally.

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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."

Paul Methven, CEO, UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, stated: "The launch of our STEP procurement for engineering and construction partners will be a critical milestone on the journey to demonstrate and then commercialise fusion energy. Our industrial model will combine the best of public and private sectors in an integrated alliance to drive economic and industrial opportunities for the UK on a significant scale.

"Together with our partners, we will leverage the UK’s internationally renowned status in fusion research and development to lead the delivery of a fusion energy sector that will help meet the global energy demand in the second half of this century."

Upon the selection of these strategic partners, a wide range of additional opportunities will emerge for the broader supply chain, with specifics to be revealed in due time. STEP stands as a significant catalyst for growth and revitalisation in the communities surrounding the West Burton power station site, designated as STEP's home in October 2022.

The initiative is set to create thousands of highly skilled positions throughout both construction and operational phases, while also drawing in other high-tech sectors to the Midlands region. Fusion energy holds immense promise in providing safe, sustainable and low-carbon energy solutions for future generations.

Sometimes described as the ultimate energy source, fusion is based on the same processes that power the Sun and stars. When a mix of two types of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium) are heated to form a plasma that is 10 times hotter than the core of the Sun, they fuse together to create helium and release huge amounts of energy.

STEP's Whole Plant Partner procurement will be live from the 22 May. Once the initial stage of the selection process is complete, UKIFS will enter detailed discussions with shortlisted companies.