The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) confirmed that civil-works preparation for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype at the former West Burton coal plant site remains on schedule for primary excavation in 2027. The project passed its Q2 2026 stage-gate readiness review last week.

STEP is a publicly funded spherical-tokamak demonstration plant targeting net electricity by 2040, with the UKAEA acting as both regulator-facing licensee and engineering authority. The £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion USD) program is the largest single-site fusion investment in Europe outside of the ITER project itself.

The £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion USD) program is the largest single-site fusion investment in Europe outside of the ITER project itself.

UKAEA chief executive Sir Ian Chapman said the tritium fuel cycle facility tender — the largest single contract package in the program — would be released this autumn, with prequalification statements due in October. The tender is expected to draw bids from Kyoto Fusioneering, the AtkinsRéalis-led STEP delivery consortium, and a U.S.-led group anchored by SHINE Technologies.