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Drop-in events over fusion power plant plans

Hugh CasswellEast Midlands environment correspondent
News imageUKIFS An artists impression of the inside of a STEPUKIFS
There is a global race to make fusion power commercially viable

A series of public events are set to take place to gather views on the construction of a fusion power plant in north Nottinghamshire.

The prototype is due to be built on the site of the former West Burton A coal-fired power station near Retford, which is being demolished.

Fusion power potentially offers almost limitless, clean energy from a process similar to that which powers the sun, but significant challenges remain in making it commercially viable.

Successive governments have pledged billions of pounds of investment in the sector, and West Burton was chosen as the location for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project in October 2022.

News imageThe cooling towers at the old West Burton A power station
The site of the old coal-fired power station is being cleared for development

Building the plant is the responsibility of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Group.

UKIFS said people who attended consultation events would be able to "explore early plans for the site" including the facility's layout, transport strategies, and the "long-term economic benefits for the region."

People can also provide feedback online or by post.

Paul Methven, chief executive officer of UKIFS, said: "This is a major milestone for STEP Fusion and for the communities who have supported us from day one.

"Local people in and around West Burton, Retford and Gainsborough have played a crucial role in bringing the Programme to the region.

"Over the past two years we've held extensive outreach events and listened closely to the community's ambitions and concerns. This first formal consultation is your opportunity to help shape the proposals as they develop."

Construction and engineering contracts are expected to be announced in the coming months, with the aim of opening the plant by 2040.

The first public event is due to take place at Sturton Hall and Conference Centre between 10:00 and 15:00 GMT on Wednesday.

Further public events are set to take place at:

  • Roses Sports ground, Gainsborough, on Thursday (15:00 to 20:00)
  • North and South Wheatley Village Hall on Friday (10:00 and 15:00)
  • Bawtry Town Hall on Saturday (11:00 and 16:00)
  • Lea Village Hall on 20 January (11:30 to 16:30)
  • South Leverton Memorial Institute on 21 January (15:00 to 20:00)
  • Hallcroft Community Hall, Retford, on 22 January (15:00 to 20:00)
  • Misterton Methodist Hall on 28 January (10:00 to 15:00)
  • Sturton by Stow Village Hall, Lincoln, on 29 January (10:00 to 15:00)
  • Gringley on the Hill Community Centre on 30 January (15:00 to 20:00)
  • Clarborough Village Hall on 31 January (10:00 to 15:00)
  • Laneham Memorial Hall on 2 February (10:00 to 15:00)
  • Sturton Hall and Conference Centre on 17 February (15:00 to 20:00)

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