The UK Government has announced that those developing cutting-edge fusion energy have received a record £410 million in investment, helping to kickstart economic growth as per the government’s Plan for Change.

The research and development funding will support the rapid development of the UK fusion energy sector—which aims to provide secure, clean, and unlimited energy in the future—over the 2025 to 2026 period.

This includes initiatives like Fusion Futures, a suite of measures aimed at building fusion capability, including skills development; repurposing JET, the old fusion machine at Culham in Oxfordshire; supporting the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s existing research, innovation, and facilities; and working towards STEP, a world-leading prototype powerplant.

Industry leaders have been shortlisted by delivery body UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) to help construct STEP, short for Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production, at a former coal power plant in Nottinghamshire.

Five construction and engineering bids have progressed to the next round of the UKIFS competition to deliver the prototype fusion energy plant by 2040, driving progress towards the commercialisation of fusion in the UK.

The creation of fusion uses the same process that powers the sun by combining two forms of hydrogen and heating them at extreme temperatures, releasing vast amounts of energy.

This new funding supporting fusion R&D follows the announcement at the Autumn Budget 2024 of “significant support in 2025-26 for UK fusion energy research.”

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Ed Miliband, who serves as energy secretary, commented: “After scientists first theorised over 70 years ago that it could be possible, we are now within grasping distance of unlocking the power of the sun and providing families with secure, clean, unlimited energy.

“Britain is at the forefront of this global race to deliver fusion, and today’s record level of funding will provide investment and economic growth through our Plan for Change, delivering on net zero and creating the clean energy of the future.”

Professor Sir Ian Chapman, the CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, also said: “I am delighted by the strong support from government to delivering fusion as a safe, sustainable energy of the future, and to anchor this exciting new industry in the UK.”