Name of the Project
Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP).

Location
England, in the UK.

Project Owner/s
UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).

Project Description
The STEP is the UK’s ambitious programme to design and build a prototype fusion plant. It will demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion.

Most fusion reactors are built in the shape of a ring doughnut, while the spherical plant is shaped more like a cored apple. This shape improves efficiency in the magnetic field and potentially reduces the plant’s cost. 

The plant is expected to be smaller than other current fusion programmes under development, such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor.

The project will be developed in phases.

Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to support thousands of new highly skilled jobs.

Capital Expenditure
£222-million has been allocated to begin the STEP design work.

Planned Start/End Date
The proposed plant is targeted for completion by 2040.

Latest Developments
The West Burton power plant site in Nottinghamshire, England, has been selected to host the STEP.

The site houses two power plants: West Burton A is a coal-fired power plant, which was commissioned in 1966, and West Burton B is a combined cycle gas turbine power plant, commissioned in 2013. West Burton A is owned and operated by EDF Energy, while West Burton B is owned and operated by EIG.

The next phase of work will include detailed engineering design, while all relevant permissions and consents to build the prototype are sought.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Cerberus Nuclear and Assystem (STEP reactor in-board shield design); Atkins and Assystem (engineering delivery partner), including Oxford Sigma (fusion in-vessel component materials technology and safety) and Kyoto Fusioneering  (in-vessel components and tritium specialist).

Contact Details for Project Information
UKAEA, tel +44 1235 528822 or email mediaenquiry@ukaea.uk