The East Midlands is strengthening its position as the centre of one of the UK’s largest long-term industrial and clean energy opportunities, following a year of major progress on the STEP Fusion programme at West Burton.
Newly published figures from UK Fusion Energy (UKFE), the organisation responsible for delivering the UK’s prototype fusion power plant, show growing investment, expanding supply chain activity and increasing industrial engagement as the programme moves from planning into delivery.
UKFE’s annual report highlights significant progress at West Burton, including acquisition of part of the site, confirmation of the future location of the fusion plant and the appointment of major industrial partners to support delivery.
STEP is already delivering benefits to the East Midlands economy, with 49 of its suppliers coming from the area around West Burton.
It has also just announced a deal with INFINITY to help develop advanced manufacturing capability at Derby – a national centre for clean energy engineering expertise.
STEP Fusion is intended to demonstrate how fusion power can be delivered at commercial scale while creating new industrial opportunities across the UK.
The programme is backed by £2.5 billion of Government investment in fusion energy over five years, including around £1.3 billion for STEP Fusion – providing one of the largest long-term public investments in the UK’s future energy and industrial capability.
UKFE says economic benefits are already being generated through supply chain activity, skills development, technology innovation and inward investment.
During 2025/26, STEP Fusion worked with 371 UK suppliers, ensured 80 per cent of programme spending went back into the UK economy. The programme is expected to create opportunities across advanced manufacturing, engineering, construction, digital technologies, robotics, infrastructure, professional services and workforce development.
Paul Methven, CEO of UK Fusion Energy, said:
“The East Midlands has powered the country for generations. STEP Fusion creates the opportunity for the region to play a leading role in powering the future.
“This programme is about much more than developing a new source of energy. It is about creating highly skilled jobs, supporting business growth, attracting investment, strengthening supply chains and building industrial capability that can serve both fusion and wider advanced manufacturing sectors.”
The STEP Fusion programme’s work is being supported by a series of major industrial partnerships, including its systems partner Tokamak Energy, which has a significant presence in the East Midlands.
Tokamak Energy CEO, Warrick Matthews, said:
“We’re bringing more than a decade of experience designing, building and operating superconducting fusion magnets to one of the programme’s toughest engineering challenges.
“That capability is already rooted in the East Midlands – our Ridgway Machines business in Leicester designs and builds the precision equipment used to manufacture superconductors. As we move ahead, fusion will create many more opportunities for engineering and manufacturing businesses across the region.”
UKFE and STEP are working closely with the East Midlands Combined County Authority and Mayor Claire Ward, who are developing a strategy aimed at building on the potential of West Burton and two other former power stations through a nationally-significant clean energy Trent Supercluster.
Simon Matthews, Programme Director for ILIOS, STEP Fusion’s Construction Partner, added:
“The East Midlands has a proud industrial heritage and the engineering, manufacturing and construction expertise needed to play an important role in the STEP Fusion programme. As the programme’s Construction Partner, ILIOS wants to build on those strengths by engaging businesses early, helping suppliers prepare for future opportunities, and supporting the development of skills across the region.”
The annual report also highlights UKFE’s critical role as the UK’s national fusion systems integrator, bringing together government, industry, researchers and investors to deliver a prototype fusion power station while developing the capabilities, supply chains and expertise required for future commercial deployment.
UKFE believes STEP Fusion can help establish the East Midlands as the anchor of a nationally significant clean energy and advanced manufacturing cluster, building on the region’s existing strengths in engineering, logistics, energy, manufacturing and innovation.
During 2026/27 the programme expects to continue design development, undertake further planning engagement and expand technology demonstration activities ahead of future delivery phases.
Image: West Burton Power Station
Posted on 13 October 2026
