Are you ready for the step-change?
STEP is a government-funded industry partnership programme, designed to scale a consistent fusion energy supply. Sponsored by the Department for Energy and Net Zero, it’s part of the Government’s Major Projects Portfolio — and the UK’s flagship fusion programme.
Based at a site in West Burton, STEP was established by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) — but will ultimately be delivered by the wholly owned subsidiary, UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS).
Our vision is clear: a world in which fusion energy powers everyday life — for everyone, everywhere. We’re targeting first operations for 2040.
To achieve this, we’re on a mission to inspire and harness all the partners necessary to make fusion energy a reality.
Although STEP is currently 100% Government funded, UKIFS — as a private company limited by shares set up by the Government — will establish and lead a public and private alliance to deliver the programme. This will provide an opportunity for future private investment.
The benefits of STEP
(aside from the immense power)
Putting the UK on a global stage
STEP is likely to be classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). That means it’ll be recognised by a Development Consent Order (DCO) — making it a world-leading programme. Discover what makes STEP different.
Providing jobs
The STEP project will require much of the infrastructure and facilities you’d see on any operational power station — and then some. So we’ll need a team with a wide range of skills and experience: from apprentices, to graduates, to professionals, across everything from science and engineering to construction and catering. But direct STEP jobs will only be one part of the story. Our aim is to create an ecosystem of fusion industry, with the potential to create thousands of roles.
Pushing growth and regeneration
Global energy demand will increase in the second half of the century, with the global energy market expected to be worth trillions of pounds per year — commercial fusion will have a big role to play. In addition, we believe the ‘Megawatt Valley’ region — around West Burton, where STEP is based — will become a global catalyst hub for a wide range of technological, engineering and scientific expertise, leading to massive economic opportunities. Right now, we’re looking for procurement partners to help us make this happen.
MEET THE TEAM
UKIFS board
UKIFS executive management team
UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd
UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Group, will lead the delivery of the STEP programme to design and build the UK’s first prototype fusion energy plant.
STEP will be built at West Burton, a former coal-fired power station site in Nottinghamshire, and aims to demonstrate net energy from fusion in the 2040s.
Our industrial model will combine the best of public and private sectors in an integrated alliance to deliver the STEP prototype fusion plant, with UKAEA as fusion partner alongside an engineering partner and construction partner.
Together with our partners, we will leverage the UK’s renowned status in fusion research and development to lead the delivery of a fusion sector that will help meet global energy demand in the second half of this century.
Our mission and values
We are
Pioneering
We
Deliver
We Champion
safety
We All
Matter
We Embrace
Change
We aCT AS
ONE
