Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 28
28
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 144
Recent breakthroughs and UK leadership indicate growing optimism for fusion research.
Conclusion
However, in recent months breakthroughs have been made in fusion research, including doubling of the record for power generated in a tokamak; there is a growing number of private fusion companies clustered in Culham and the UK is a leading nation in the ITER project.
Government Response Summary
The government responds to the committee's positive observations about fusion breakthroughs and the UK's leading role by detailing substantial past and future financial investments in UKAEA's fusion programmes, demonstrating continued commitment.
Paragraph Reference:
144
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.