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Residents and other local stakeholders from shortlisted regions across the UK are invited to provide feedback on new proposals for a prototype fusion energy power plant, which may be built in their area.

UKAEA engineers and scientists involved in the first-of-its-kind project will engage with residents and stakeholders from the five shortlisted sites to explain the benefits of safe, sustainable fusion energy, and how the proposed prototype power plant will create thousands of highly skilled jobs and attract other high-tech industries to its host region.

With West Burton A, near Retford in the running to host the new plant, a virtual community forum aimed at local residents and stakeholders will take place on Tuesday 8th February from 6-8pm.

To pre-register a place: STEP Siting: West Burton Community Forum Tickets, Tue 8 Feb 2022 at 18:00 | Eventbrite

The STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) site will be selected by the Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The final decision on the successful site is expected around the end of 2022. UKAEA will make recommendations based on a set of criteria, including support from the local community and the potential for socio-economic benefits in that locality.

Tristram Denton, Head of Commercial and Programme Development for STEP, said: “STEP is not just of strategic importance to UKAEA, but to the national and global efforts to harness fusion technology in the fight against climate change. While it’s still early days, we anticipate that the host region will become a global hub for a wide range of technological and scientific expertise, leading to massive economic opportunities."

Each community forum is open to all and will include a presentation on the programme, details on the proposals and an open forum for questions and discussion. 

To read more about STEP please visit https://step.ukaea.uk/