The UK government has selected the West Burton power station site in Nottinghamshire to develop ‘STEP’ (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), the country’s prototype fusion energy plant.
The prototype fusion energy plant is expected to be constructed by 2040.
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Fusion is created through a process where in two light atomic nuclei combine while discharging large amounts of energy. It is based on the same physical reactions that power celestial bodies.
The government-supported STEP programme will create jobs throughout construction and operational phases.
The project will attract other industries to the region and foster the development of science and technology capabilities.
Furthermore, the programme will help in the development of apprenticeship schemes in the area.
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By GlobalDataUK Business Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg was quoted by Reuters as saying at the Conservative Party conference: “We will build the UK’s first prototype fusion energy plant.
“The plant will be the first of its kind, built by 2040, and capable of putting energy on the grid and in doing so it will prove the commercial viability of fusion energy to the world.”
The UK government is offering £220m of funding for the first phase of STEP.
The UK Atomic Energy Authority will generate a concept design for STEP by 2024.
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Image: Fusion is created through a process where in two light atomic nuclei combine while discharging large amounts of energy. Credit: Pete Linforth from Pixabay.
