Guide published to help SMEs join fusion energy supply chain

Pic: UK Atomic Energy Authority

The global fusion sector is entering a decisive phase of growth, with a new UK guide setting out how SMEs can tap into emerging international supply chains. The global fusion energy sector is scaling up rapidly, creating significant new commercial opportunities for UK small- and medium‑size enterprises, according to the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).

With fusion moving from laboratory research towards full demonstration power plants, demand for industrial systems, components and specialist services is rising sharply. UKAEA said this shift is opening the door to UK businesses with strengths in engineering, manufacturing, robotics, advanced materials and digital technologies – including companies with no previous involvement in fusion.

To help UK firms engage with the sector, UKAEA has launched the Global Fusion Guide for SMEs, published by UKAEA and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The guide sets out clear, practical steps for businesses looking to collaborate with and supply fusion developers worldwide. More than 68 private fusion companies are now operating globally alongside major public programmes, with over £100 billion expected to flow into fusion development between 2026 and 2035. A substantial share of that investment will be directed towards industrial systems, components and services – areas where UK SMEs already have proven capabilities.

Fanny Fouin, programme manager for Fusion Futures at UKAEA, said: “The Global Fusion Guide for SMEs shows that fusion is not a closed market. Many of the skills required already exist across UK industry and the guide will help businesses see how their capabilities can translate across into this growing sector. Over the next decade, a significant share of the global investment in fusion will be spent on industrial systems, components and services. These represent long‑term, high‑value opportunities that UK SMEs are well placed to deliver.”

While interest in fusion is growing, UKAEA acknowledges that the sector can appear complex and fragmented, particularly for smaller businesses with limited time and resources. Entry points differ by geography, technology and programme, making access a challenge despite strong underlying capability.

Clear, expert guidance
Naomi Mburu, lead analyst at Fusion Advisory Services, which worked with UKAEA on the guide, said: “As an SME ourselves, we know how valuable it is to have clear, expert guidance when time and resources are limited. With entry points fragmented across portals, programmes and networks that vary by country and technology, access rather than capability is often the real barrier. This guide aims to make that first step clearer for SMEs globally.”

The guide provides an overview of the global fusion technology landscape, explaining where the sector currently stands on the path to commercial power generation and where industrial demand is expected to grow. It introduces major public and private fusion programmes around the world, including UKAEA Group’s STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme, which aims to deliver the UK’s first prototype fusion power plant.

A core focus of the guide is identifying where SME capabilities align most closely with emerging fusion requirements. It highlights opportunities across a wide range of technologies, such as superconducting magnets, lasers and high power electrical systems, and advanced materials and manufacturing processes, amongst others.

Melanie Windridge, co‑director of Fusion Advisory Services and founder of Fusion Energy Insights and FusionX Group, said: “Robust supply chains will be critical to fusion’s success, so there are opportunities for SME growth over the next decade if they can navigate the initial hurdles. Reliable information will be key to this, which is why Fusion Advisory Services was delighted to work with UKAEA on this report as a starting point for conversations.”

As fusion investment accelerates over the next decade engagement will be critical for UK manufacturers seeking to secure long‑term positions in what could become a major new industrial market. The guide can be downloaded here.