The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed a £410 million allocation to the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme through 2029, the largest single-government commitment to a national fusion pilot plant to date.

The funding underwrites detailed engineering design through 2028 and partial site preparation at the Nottinghamshire location currently shortlisted. A final siting decision is expected on June 13.

The funding underwrites detailed engineering design through 2028 and partial site preparation at the Nottinghamshire location currently shortlisted.

UKAEA chief executive Tim Bestwick called the allocation “the first irreversible step from a paper concept to a built asset,” though he cautioned that full construction commitments remain contingent on industry cost-share negotiations and on the outcome of the EU Fusion Act drafting process.