Site shortlist marks next STEP for fusion energy

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Five regions have been shortlisted as potential sites for STEP - Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production STEP - the UK’s prototype fusion energy plant.

STEP is a government-backed programme aiming to generate net electricity whilst demonstrating how the plant will be maintained and produce its own fuel.

The shortlisted sites are located at Ardeer in Scotland plus Goole, Moorside, Ratcliffe-on-Soar and Severn Edge in England. As well as creating jobs during construction and operations, STEP is expected to attract other high-tech industries to its host region.

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Fusion replicates the processes that power the sun and stars where atoms are fused to release energy, creating nearly four million times more energy for every kilogram of fuel than burning fossil fuels.

STEP is a programme run by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), which is carrying out fusion energy research on behalf of the government. STEP is expected to advance the commercialisation of fusion and the potential development of a fleet of future plants globally. UKAEA is targeting first operations in the early 2040s.

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