The UK’s first nuclear fusion site will be built in Nottinghamshire and could generate around 10,000 jobs.
The coal-fired West Burton A power station, near Retford, has been chosen as the location for the innovative, multi-billion-pound energy plant, with work expect to begin in the next decade. The reactor, known as the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP), will not be operational, though, until around 2040, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg announced the plans at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham on Monday (October 3). He said: “The plant will be the first of its kind, built by 2040, and capable of putting energy on the grid and in doing so it will prove the commercial viability of fusion energy to the world.”
Fusion is based on the same physical reactions that power the sun and stars, combining two hydrogen atoms to release large amounts of energy. And the process itself is said to be inherently safe.
The selection of West Burton A has been hailed as “game-changing” by Nottinghamshire County Council leader Ben Bradley, who said the project would give the county the opportunity to lead the world. Nuclear fusion, which is currently only carried out in experiments, is a potential source of near-limitless clean energy and it is believed the site, owned by EDF energy, will become one of the world’s first power stations to harness its energy.
“It’s game-changing and quite poetic in some ways,” said Mr Bradley, also Conservative MP for Mansfield. “North Nottinghamshire and the coal industry used to power the country and keep the lights on and now we’re going to do that in a future-facing carbon free way, and all the skills and investment opportunities that come along with that.”
He said the project would bring a variety of jobs to both Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, which borders the site. He added; “There will be lots of roles and opportunities in construction and advanced manufacturing, nuclear science and engineering, as well as for local businesses involved in those kinds of supply chains.
“There’ll be a multi-billion investment coming into our part of the world and the chance to lead the world really. If we get it right and build – as the plan is – this power station that can then be replicated, we can sell that to the world.”
West Burton A was chosen after replacing Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station on the five-site shortlist earlier this year. Bassetlaw’s Conservative MP Brendan Clarke-Smith, Bassetlaw District Council and West Burton Residents’ Planning Group (WBRPG) expressed their excitement over the move.
Dave Langmead, Sturton Le Steeple resident and WBRPG member, said: “As we move towards a greener future it is exciting to know that our small community will be at the forefront in hosting the development of fusion technology, along with the opportunities for economic development that the project will bring to the area.”
East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles added: “At a time when energy security is at the top of the national agenda, it’s important to see innovative ideas being explored such as nuclear fusion. To have Nottinghamshire at the forefront of this is very exciting.”
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