In what seems a significant step towards commercialising fusion energy, UK-government backed fusion energy developer UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE) has published a strategy outlining how it plans to deliver a prototype fusion power plant and secure a leading role in a global market projected to reach £12 trillion by 2100.
An announcement explains that the strategy builds on the government’s wider fusion framework and sets out a pathway to deliver the UK’s planned first prototype fusion power plant, the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) Fusion plant at West Burton in Nottinghamshire, with operations expected to begin in 2040. Backed by £1.3 billion in public investment, the plan aims to translate decades of scientific research into commercial energy generation while unlocking “high value industrial opportunities across the UK”.
From scientific leadership to industrial delivery
The UK has more than 70 years of experience in fusion research, largely led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). Under the new strategy, UKFE will act as a national systems integrator, coordinating industry, research institutions and advanced digital capabilities to deliver the STEP programme.
Fusion energy is widely seen as a long-term solution to global energy challenges, offering a low-carbon, scalable and secure power source. The Government and industry leaders argue that moving from research to deployment could also drive near-term economic growth and strengthen domestic supply chains.
The strategy was launched during Fusion Fest 2026 in London, where UKFE joined UKAEA and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to present what officials described as a coordinated national push towards commercial fusion.
Building a national fusion ecosystem
Alongside the strategy, UKAEA published its own strategic direction, outlining how government, industry and academia will collaborate to develop a UK fusion economy. Together, the announcements reinforce the government’s ambition to position the UK at the forefront of the emerging global fusion sector.
Key elements of the UKFE strategy include:
• Leveraging existing UK expertise in fusion science and engineering
• Establishing an industrial partnership model to deliver STEP Fusion
• Advancing critical technologies such as superconducting magnets and robotics
• Driving regional growth through projects such as the Trent Clean Energy Supercluster
• Opening future opportunities for investors and supply chain partners
The STEP project is expected to play a central role in regional economic development, particularly in the East Midlands, while supporting high-value manufacturing and engineering jobs nationwide.
The new fusion strategy sits alongside other countries’ efforts to present formal pathways to commercial fusion, but with a seemingly more delivery-focused model. While the US Department of Energy is advancing a public–private commercialisation push targeting the 2030s, and the European Commission continues to prioritise large-scale research through ITER and a future DEMO plant, the UK is attempting to bridge science and deployment through a single programme centred on STEP.
Meanwhile, China is pursuing state-led demonstration plants on similar mid-century timelines, and Japan and South Korea remain focused on long-term research and international collaboration. Against this backdrop, the UK’s approach appears to stand out for combining a national strategy with a named prototype plant and a dedicated delivery body.
Industry partnerships accelerate progress
UKFE also confirmed new commercial partnerships signalling a shift from planning to delivery. A £70 million contract has been awarded to Tokamak Energy to develop next-generation high-temperature superconducting magnets. The company’s ST40 facility will support rapid design and testing.
In parallel, a £30 million agreement has been signed with Dassault Systèmes to expand digital engineering capabilities using its 3DEXPERIENCE platform, forming the basis of a long-term digital twin for the STEP plant.
Ministerial and industry reaction
Lord Vallance of Balham, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, said:
“UK Fusion Energy is one of the world’s leading fusion companies. The government completely backs the UK Fusion Energy vision set out in this document, to build on our national strengths to take fusion from the lab to the grid, delivering major benefits to the UK now and for generations to come.”
Paul Methven, CEO of UK Fusion Energy Ltd, said:
“Fusion is a transformative opportunity, and the UK is exceptionally well placed to seize it. Our strategy sets out how we will deliver STEP Fusion in partnership with industry and use it as the launchpad for a globally competitive commercial fusion sector. The rewards for the UK in jobs, innovation and long-term energy security are immense.
UKFE is in a strong position to move into delivery. Not only do we have our strategy to 2040, but we also have our Construction Partner, Magnets Partner and Information Systems contract in place, with site ownership of West Burton now transferred to UKAEA. This marks a critical milestone as we make fusion energy a reality for the UK.”
Professor David Gann, Chairman of STEP Fusion, said:
“This strategy brings together the UK’s strongest capabilities science, our engineering and our industrial talent and directs them towards one of the defining energy challenges of our time. Fusion will be delivered through ambition, partnership and leadership, and the UK is ready to take that role on the world stage.”
Simon Matthews, Programme Director at the ILIOS Consortium, said:
“This strategy marks a decisive shift from concept to delivery for fusion energy in the UK. As Construction Partner, the ILIOS Consortium is proud to support UK Fusion Energy by bringing together the skills, experience and supply chain strength needed to deliver the STEP Programme, a once-in-a-generation project which will create opportunities and growth across the midlands and beyond.”
The coordinated strategies from UKFE, UKAEA and DESNZ appear to signal a clear national mission: to turn scientific leadership into commercial deployment, create high-value industrial opportunities and secure the UK’s place in what could become one of the most important clean energy markets of the century.
