UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS) announced on the 16th January the shortlisted organisations competing to become Engineering Partner and Construction Partner for STEP, the UK’s world-leading programme to design and build a prototype fusion energy plant at the West Burton site in Nottinghamshire.
STEP will be delivered by a public-private sector integrated team consisting of UKIFS, UKAEA as fusion partner and the engineering and construction partners. These key long-term and strategic partnerships will play a central role in growing a UK-led fusion industry that will stimulate economic growth.
The STEP programme, led by UKIFS, a wholly owned subsidiary of UKAEA Group, aims to demonstrate net energy from fusion alongside fuel self-sufficiency and a route to plant maintenance. This will pave the way for the commercialisation of fusion as a safe, low-carbon and near-limitless energy source.
The contracts for STEP’s Engineering and Construction Partners will be worth an initial combined value of hundreds of millions of pounds during the first contract period until 2029. Further phases will continue the long-term collaboration that builds progressively with the programme.
A crucial part of STEP’s mission is to develop a world-leading fusion supply chain to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of a new technology and emerging industry.
Paul Methven, CEO of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions and Senior Responsible Owner for STEP, said:
The announcement of shortlisted organisations for STEP’s Whole Plant Partners is a critical milestone for our mission to demonstrate fusion energy and development of a world-leading fusion supply chain that unlocks significant industrial and economic opportunities.
Together, we aim to lead the development of a fusion energy sector that will help meet rising global energy demand as well as deliver near-term benefits for industry and for the communities that will help build STEP.
The shortlisted companies will now enter detailed discussions known as ‘competitive dialogue’ with UKIFS as the multi-stage procurement process progresses towards final partner selection in late 2025/early 2026.
A vast range of other opportunities for the broader supply chain will follow the appointment of these strategic partners.
STEP provides a significant catalyst for growth and regeneration for the communities surrounding the West Burton power station site, announced as STEP’s home in October 2022.
The programme will create thousands of highly skilled jobs during construction and operations, as well as attracting other high-tech industries to the Midlands region.
Fusion energy has enormous potential to deliver safe, sustainable, low carbon energy for generations to come.
Sometimes described as the ultimate energy source, fusion is based on the same processes that power the Sun and stars. When a mix of two types of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium) are heated to form a plasma that’s 10 times hotter than the core of the Sun, they fuse together to create helium and release huge amounts of energy.
To sign-up for updates about STEP, visit: step.ukaea.uk or follow our social channels @STEPtoFusion.
A crucial part of STEP’s mission is to develop a world-leading fusion supply chain to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of a new technology and emerging industry.
Paul Methven, CEO of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions and Senior Responsible Owner for STEP, said:
The announcement of shortlisted organisations for STEP’s Whole Plant Partners is a critical milestone for our mission to demonstrate fusion energy and development of a world-leading fusion supply chain that unlocks significant industrial and economic opportunities.
Together, we aim to lead the development of a fusion energy sector that will help meet rising global energy demand as well as deliver near-term benefits for industry and for the communities that will help build STEP.
The shortlisted companies will now enter detailed discussions known as ‘competitive dialogue’ with UKIFS as the multi-stage procurement process progresses towards final partner selection in late 2025/early 2026.
A vast range of other opportunities for the broader supply chain will follow the appointment of these strategic partners.
STEP provides a significant catalyst for growth and regeneration for the communities surrounding the West Burton power station site, announced as STEP’s home in October 2022.
The programme will create thousands of highly skilled jobs during construction and operations, as well as attracting other high-tech industries to the Midlands region.
Fusion energy has enormous potential to deliver safe, sustainable, low carbon energy for generations to come.
Sometimes described as the ultimate energy source, fusion is based on the same processes that power the Sun and stars. When a mix of two types of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium) are heated to form a plasma that’s 10 times hotter than the core of the Sun, they fuse together to create helium and release huge amounts of energy.
To sign-up for updates about STEP, visit: step.ukaea.uk or follow our social channels @STEPtoFusion.
UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS) announced on the 16th January the shortlisted organisations competing to become Engineering Partner and Construction Partner for STEP, the UK’s world-leading programme to design and build a prototype fusion energy plant at the West Burton site in Nottinghamshire.
STEP will be delivered by a public-private sector integrated team consisting of UKIFS, UKAEA as fusion partner and the engineering and construction partners. These key long-term and strategic partnerships will play a central role in growing a UK-led fusion industry that will stimulate economic growth.
The STEP programme, led by UKIFS, a wholly owned subsidiary of UKAEA Group, aims to demonstrate net energy from fusion alongside fuel self-sufficiency and a route to plant maintenance. This will pave the way for the commercialisation of fusion as a safe, low-carbon and near-limitless energy source.
The contracts for STEP’s Engineering and Construction Partners will be worth an initial combined value of hundreds of millions of pounds during the first contract period until 2029. Further phases will continue the long-term collaboration that builds progressively with the programme.
