News / Western Powerhouse
Bid to bring major new energy fusion plant to West
Industry giants, including Toshiba, Thales and Renishaw, are backing a bid to bring Britain’s first prototype fusion plant to a site near Bristol.
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is currently looking for a home for its flagship Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme, which is looking to prove the commercial viability of fusion energy.
Fusion has been described as having the potential to become the “ultimate low carbon energy” source, recreating the reaction that takes place within the sun.
Severn Edge, a site spanning South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire is in the final five sites being considered by the government for the major project, with a decision expected soon.
The Western Gateway partnership, which covers seven cities stretching down the M4 corridor from Swindon to Swansea, is leading the bid to bring the programme to the Bristol region.
They have gained the backing of 28 businesses and organisations, including Toshiba, Thales and Renishaw, each high tech and cyber solutions specialists that employ more than 200,00 people worldwide.
Katherine Bennett, chair of the Western Gateway partnership, said: “We know that the Western Gateway area offers the national STEP programme the best possible access to the most advanced technical skills and expert supply chains to ensure the UK is world-leading in developing this clean energy solution.
“Our site in Severn Edge is unique in benefitting two countries across the union offering opportunities to level up communities in Wales and England that are at severe risk of being left behind. STEP would mean billions of pounds worth of investment and is part of the work our partnership is doing to develop our area as a green energy super cluster driving the UK’s transition to net zero.”
The Western Gateway partnership spans seven cities stretching down the M4 corridor from Swindon to Swansea – photo: Paul Box
The Western Gateway bid is believed to be the only bid in the running that bridges two countries in the UK.
Phil Smith, managing director for Business West, said in a letter to UKAEA: “By connecting STEP to our world class science and innovation eco-system in digital, cyber, construction and high value manufacturing, we passionately believe that the South West and Wales have the capabilities, capacity and talented workforce to make the vision for STEP a reality.”
Main photo: Western Gateway partnership
Read more: First Western Gateway conference to focus on ‘greener, fairer future’
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
