UK Science Minister Amanda Solloway welcomed plans to enhance Culham’s role in developing fusion when she visited the campus on 17 June.
General Fusion CEO Chris Mowry, UK Science Minister Amanda Solloway and UKAEA CEO Ian Chapman
The minister was at Culham to announce an agreement between Canadian fusion firm General Fusion and UKAEA, which will see General Fusion build its Fusion Demonstration Plant on the site.
General Fusion will benefit from the cluster of fusion supply chain activities in the UK, centred on UKAEA’s globally recognised expertise and presence in the field. This is also an exciting and very positive development for UKAEA and the Culham site; strongly aligned with UKAEA’s mission and the development of the Culham campus as a leading location for developing fusion energy and a key location for the nascent ‘UK fusion cluster’.
Amanda Solloway said: “This new plant by General Fusion is a huge boost for our plans to develop a fusion industry in the UK, and I’m thrilled that Culham will be home to such a cutting-edge and potentially transformative project. Fusion energy has great potential as a source of limitless, low-carbon energy, and today’s announcement is a clear vote of confidence in the region and the UK’s status as a global science superpower.”
During her visit, the minister toured the new MAST Upgrade fusion experiment – finding time to help scientists run a test. She also heard about progress in developing new research facilities at Culham, and about the UK’s STEP fusion power plant programme, funded by UK Government.
