Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Accepted
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UKAEA's work created a thriving fusion R&D cluster, attracting global private investment.
Conclusion
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.
Government Response Summary
The government committed significant investment to UKAEA's research programs, including over £700 million from 2021/22 to 2024/25, £240m for the STEP Programme aiming for a fusion plant by 2040, and an additional £650 million for new R&D programmes until 2027.
Paragraph Reference:
142
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Over 2021/22 to 2024/25, we are investing over £700 million to the UKAEA’s cutting edge research programmes and facilities to grow the capability of UK industry and make the UK the global hub for fusion innovation. Included in this is a £240m commitment towards the first phase of the STEP Programme - to develop and build, by 2040, a prototype fusion power plant capable of delivering energy to the UK grid. On top of the above allocation, in November 2022 we announced an additional £126 million to support UK R&D Programmes. In September, we announced that the UK has decided to pursue its own cutting-edge suite of new, alternative R&D programmes to support the UK’s flourishing fusion sector. To deliver this, the government plans to invest up to £650 million until 2027.