Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 143
Fusion research unlikely to meet net-zero targets by 2050 given current challenges.
Conclusion
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 2050, in the time to contribute to our net zero commitment being met. It is also true that there are many risks, uncertainties, and dependencies—such as the development of materials—that mean that fusion may not in the foreseeable timeframe realise it tantalising potential.
Government Response Summary
The government responds to the committee's observations about fusion investment by detailing significant past and future financial commitments to UKAEA's fusion programmes, including the STEP Programme and additional R&D funding, reaffirming its support despite the noted long-term uncertainties.
Paragraph Reference:
143
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
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.