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Fusion Energy Development

Fusion Energy Development is a strategic priority led by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the UK Atomic Energy Authority to establish the UK as a fusion energy leader and attract private sector investment. The policy is currently active, with a published fusion strategy for 2026 and ongoing work to develop commercial fusion reactor projects and secure funding.

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2026

7 events
14 Apr 2026 | Policy paper Department for Energy Security and Net Zero UK Atomic Energy Authority Context · primary home: Nuclear Regulation Bill linked

UK Atomic Energy Authority strategy 2026 to 2030

The strategy sets out how UKAEA will deliver foundational research, technology and innovation to support the UK fusion sector through world-leading expertise.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ UK Atomic Energy Authority strategy 2026 to 2030 (25pp)
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↓ UK Atomic Energy Authority strategy 2026 to 2030
16 Mar 2026 | Announcement Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

The UK’s Fusion Strategy

UIN: HCWS1404 The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is today publishing A New Energy Revolution – The UK’s Plan for Delivering Fusion Energy.This strategy builds on the government’s record £2.5 billion investment in fusion research and development secured …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
16 Mar 2026 | Announcement Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

The UK’s Fusion Strategy

UIN: HLWS1408 My Hon Friend the Minister of State for Energy, Michael Shanks MP, has today made the following statement:The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is today publishing A New Energy Revolution – The UK’s Plan for Delivering …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓

2025

6 events
22 Jul 2025 | Announcement Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

STEP Programme Contingent Liability

UIN: HLWS876 My hon. Friend the Minister for Climate (Kerry McCarthy MP) made the following Statement today:I have laid before Parliament a Departmental Minute setting out the particulars of a new contingent liability associated with fusion activities relating to the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
21 Jul 2025 | Announcement Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

STEP Programme Contingent Liability

UIN: HCWS876 I have laid before Parliament a Departmental Minute setting out the particulars of a new contingent liability associated with fusion activities relating to the STEP fusion energy programme.STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UK’s flagshi...

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓

2024

2 events

2023

9 events
16 Oct 2023 | Policy paper Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

Agile Nations: UK, Japan and Canada joint recommendations on fusion energy

The UK, Japan and Canada have produced joint recommendations on how to develop a regulatory framework for fusion energy facilities.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Agile Nations working group on fusion energy re…
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31 Jul 2023 | Committee report linked

From the commissioning of Calder Hall in the 1950s, the UK has always had a strong capability in nuclear research and development. At a time where there is a global commitment to reduce carbon emissions and to reduce dependence on fossil fuels for reasons of energy security, the UK’s capability in new nuclear technologies is a strength.

From the commissioning of Calder Hall in the 1950s, the UK has always had a strong capability in nuclear research and development. At a time where there is a global commitment to reduce carbon emissions and to reduce dependence on …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
31 Jul 2023 | Committee report linked

The UK is a leading global player in uranium enrichment and nuclear fuel fabrication and has the potential to replace Russia’s contribution to the global supply chain of advanced fuels. We welcome the launch and allocation of funding from the Nuclear Fuel Fund to support the development of the capabilities needed to meet current and future nuclear fuel demands. (Paragraph 128) Delivering nuclear power 103 Fusion

The UK is a leading global player in uranium enrichment and nuclear fuel fabrication and has the potential to replace Russia’s contribution to the global supply chain of advanced fuels. We welcome the launch and allocation of funding from the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
31 Jul 2023 | Committee report linked

The work of the UK Atomic Energy Authority has resulted in a thriving research and development fusion cluster at the Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire. As well as operating the world’s leading torus and spherical fusion reactors, the Culham facility benefits from being part of a consortium of 30 fusion research organisations and universities from 25 European countries and has attracted private companies from around the world, many of which plan to build demonstrator reactors at Culham.

The work of the UK Atomic Energy Authority has resulted in a thriving research and development fusion cluster at the Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire. As well as operating the world’s leading torus and spherical fusion reactors, the Culham facility …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
31 Jul 2023 | Committee report linked

Since 2010, the UK public investment into fusion research and development has totalled around £970 million. All such investment of taxpayer funds has alternative uses, whether in science, energy, or other fields. Sceptics of fusion argue, in the much-repeated phrase, that the benefits of fusion are always 20 years away—with the implication that such funds could be better spent elsewhere. It is true that fusion is highly unlikely to make a material contribution to electricity generation by 205...

Since 2010, the UK public investment into fusion research and development has totalled around £970 million. All such investment of taxpayer funds has alternative uses, whether in science, energy, or other fields. Sceptics of fusion argue, in the much-repeated phrase, …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
31 Jul 2023 | Committee report linked

However, in recent months breakthroughs have been made in fusion research, including doubling of the record for power generated in a tokamak; there is a growing number of private fusion companies clustered in Culham and the UK is a leading nation in the ITER project.

However, in recent months breakthroughs have been made in fusion research, including doubling of the record for power generated in a tokamak; there is a growing number of private fusion companies clustered in Culham and the UK is a leading …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
31 Jul 2023 | Committee report linked

We believe that it is not the time to abandon our long-standing commitment to fusion, just at the point when it is giving cause for optimism; when the zero- carbon imperative is strong; when we have an internationally admired and well- run organisation in the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and when positive spill-over effects are being felt from the research.

We believe that it is not the time to abandon our long-standing commitment to fusion, just at the point when it is giving cause for optimism; when the zero- carbon imperative is strong; when we have an internationally admired and …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
31 Jul 2023 | Committee report linked

To maximise the benefits that we gain from investment in fusion requires a long-term approach to give confidence and stability to investors and international partners and so we recommend that fusion is a part of the Government’s long-term energy plan. (Paragraph 146) Nuclear skills gap

To maximise the benefits that we gain from investment in fusion requires a long-term approach to give confidence and stability to investors and international partners and so we recommend that fusion is a part of the Government’s long-term energy plan. …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2022

1 event

2021

2 events
24 Dec 2021 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Context · primary home: Nuclear Regulation Bill linked

Towards Fusion Energy: The UK Government's proposals for a regulatory framework for fusion energy — consultation closed

Fusion could be the ultimate clean power solution, representing a low carbon, safe, continuous and effectively unlimited source of energy. The UK is widely recognised as a world-leader in the most promising fusion technologies. This consultation seeks views on the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Oct 2021 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Context · primary home: Nuclear Regulation Bill linked

Towards Fusion Energy: The UK Government's proposals for a regulatory framework for fusion energy — consultation opened

Fusion could be the ultimate clean power solution, representing a low carbon, safe, continuous and effectively unlimited source of energy. The UK is widely recognised as a world-leader in the most promising fusion technologies. This consultation seeks views on the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2020

2 events
12 Aug 2020 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

R&D Survey — consultation closed

The Government's ambitious UK Research and Development (R D) Roadmap aims to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs to live and work. This will help to power up our economic recovery …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Jul 2020 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

R&D Survey — consultation opened

The Government's ambitious UK Research and Development (R D) Roadmap aims to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs to live and work. This will help to power up our economic recovery …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK