Britain’s fusion frontier showcases Modern Industrial Strategy in action
3 min read
As a scientific superpower, the UK is stepping up in the global race for fusion energy. Chair of the Fusion Energy APPG, James Naish, highlights the latest advancements driving this transformative technology
Fusion is the process that powers the stars. When light atomic nuclei fuse to form a heavier nucleus, they release extraordinary bursts of energy. This is what makes the sun shine. This is what could soon power towns and villages across the country. Across the world. The numbers are staggering – 1kg of fusion fuel could generate enough energy to power nearly a million homes for a full day.
Britain isn’t just talking about fusion – we’re designing prototypes, building demos and turning theory into reality. In short, it’s a Great British success story in the making. The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy recognises this opportunity, identifying the technology as one of six frontier industries with the greatest growth potential.
The government is backing this ambition with £2.5bn over the next five years, funding the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s world-class work and, through the newly formed UK Industrial Fusion Solution (UKIFS), driving forward the prototype fusion power station, known as STEP Fusion, at West Burton power station in Nottinghamshire.
STEP Fusion is the UK’s flagship fusion programme, designed to unlock commercial fusion energy and enable a global fleet of power plants. The programme is already in motion and is working towards the site of a former coal power station becoming home to the world’s first commercial-scale fusion facility by 2040. This groundbreaking facility will create 6,500 skilled jobs, around 3,000 construction-related jobs and a network of excellence for fusion skills and apprenticeships.
The Modern Industrial Strategy is designed to drive bold leaps – not baby steps – creating new supply chains, high-quality jobs and economic growth.
Fusion represents everything that the Modern Industrial Strategy should stand for
The government’s commitment to fusion marks a welcome shift in how we think about Britain’s economic future. Breakthrough technologies like fusion will help meet climate goals and foster regional clusters where innovation feeds innovation, as seen in the growing synergy between fusion energy and AI. The UK Fusion Cluster already supports a thriving ecosystem of British companies, while fusion-driven tech transfer promises new businesses across multiple sectors.
The government’s plan for AI Growth Zones shows this strategy in action. At Culham Campus in Oxfordshire, the UK’s first AI Growth Zone is uniting fusion research, AI and high-performance computing to build a global hub for innovation. This programme is about more than technology – it’s about the infrastructure, skills and investment needed for long-term growth. Through public-private collaboration, the first project – an AI data centre – will accelerate fusion research, support net-zero goals and create high-skilled jobs. It’s a powerful example of place-based innovation driving regional prosperity and national capability.
This ambition has been further enhanced by a suite of measures designed to accelerate commercialisation, including a commitment to make the UK the first country in the world to develop fusion-specific planning rules, and a new memorandum of understanding with Japan to increase collaboration in areas like research and development, regulation and skills.
An updated fusion strategy, due to be published by the government in the spring, will provide further clarity on how we’ll harness this extraordinary opportunity and cement Britain’s position as a global leader.
Fusion represents everything that the Modern Industrial Strategy should stand for: long-term thinking over short-term fixes; structural investment over sticking plasters; and innovation that creates real jobs in towns and cities across the country. With the world watching Britain as it leads the fusion frontier, we have a lot to be excited about. Maybe through fusion, at last, we can put our infrastructure demons to rest and deliver large ground-breaking technology at pace.
