A Tokamak fusion reactor conceptThe UK has taken another step towards commercialising fusion energy, with
UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) publishing a new strategy that maps how the country intends to deliver its prototype fusion power plant and secure a leading share of a rapidly emerging global market.
The UK Fusion Energy Strategy builds on the Government’s UK Fusion Strategy released in March and sets out detailed plans to deliver STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) Fusion at West Burton in Nottinghamshire. The prototype plant is expected to begin operations in 2040 and is seen as a critical bridge between laboratory research and full commercial fusion power.
Backed by £1.3 billion in Government investment, the strategy positions fusion not only as a long-term solution for clean energy, but as a near-term driver of industrial growth, supply‑chain development and high‑value manufacturing jobs. The global fusion market is forecast to be worth up to £12 trillion by 2100, and UKFE aims to place UK industry at the heart of that opportunity.
Central to the strategy is UK Fusion Energy’s role as the national fusion systems integrator. Drawing on more than 70 years of UK leadership in fusion research, UKFE will coordinate industrial partners, research organisations and advanced digital and AI capabilities to deliver STEP Fusion.
The company brings together major players including the ILIOS Consortium as construction partner,
UKAEA as fusion partner, and
Tokamak Energy as system partner for high‑temperature super-conducting magnets.
From the lab to the gridLord 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.”
For manufacturers, the strategy signals sustained demand for advanced capabilities across specialist materials, precision engineering, robotics, cryogenics, power electronics and digital engineering. The STEP programme is also expected to anchor the Trent Clean Energy Supercluster, attracting investment and strengthening supply chains across the East Midlands and nationally.
The launch follows what UKFE describes as a ‘coordinated national moment’ for fusion. At
Fusion Fest 2026 in London, UKFE joined UKAEA and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to present a unified approach to industrialising fusion. The event also marked the publication of UKAEA’s own strategic direction for growing a UK fusion economy.
Paul Methven, UK Fusion Energy’s CEO, 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.”
He concluded: “We 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.”