News - 21 January 2022

North Notts site back in the running to host ‘world’s first’ fusion power station

An existing coal-fired power station has been brought off a reserve list to make it into the final five sites in the running to host what is hoped to be the world’s first commercial fusion power station.

The ambitious project – Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production – known as STEP, is being led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).

Reacting to today’s government decision that West Burton A, near Retford will now replace Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station* on UKAEA’s shortlist of potential sites to host STEP.

Nottinghamshire County Council leader Ben Bradley MP said: “While we would have loved to have two local sites on the shortlist, the future of the Ratcliffe- on-Soar site as a whole is still looking very bright.  It is earmarked as one of the three main sites for attracting investment and growth under ambitious plans led by the East Midlands Development Company. The vision is for it to become a hub for technology, advanced manufacturing and energy.

“So all-in-all this is still a positive result for Nottinghamshire having West Burton A now included in the final five.

“We have a proud heritage of producing energy – especially in the north of the county – which helped power the industrial revolution, but looking to the future, we want to be at the heart of the UK green energy revolution.

“As global energy demand continues to grow, this technology is expected to play a crucial role in helping to achieve net zero emissions – in a safe and sustainable way “

Councillor Keith Girling, chairman of the county council’s Economic Development and Asset Management Committee, added: “Achieving STEP would be a massive achievement and bring more growth and investment, particularly to the north of the county.

“It would create thousands of new skilled jobs and lucrative opportunities for local suppliers.”

Nottinghamshire County Council coordinated this nomination process for the county working with several partners, including the landowners of these sites as well as Rushcliffe Borough Council and Bassetlaw District Council.

Latest News & Events

29 September 2023

East Midlands Hydrogen Launch Event video published

Read Article

27 September 2023

Ratio Technology Transforms Bike Component Manufacturing with Made Smarter Support

Read Article

22 September 2023

D2N2 leads highly successful launch of East Midlands Hydrogen

Read Article

21 September 2023

D2N2 CEO Will Morlidge shares his thoughts on East Midlands Hydrogen

Read Article

19 September 2023

Spotlight on our D2N2 Enterprise Advisers: meet Anna Smith, Enterprise Adviser, Da Vinci Academy, Derby

Read Article

14 September 2023

Spotlight on our D2N2 Enterprise Advisers: meet Amanda Stevenson-Bate, Enterprise Adviser, Derby Moor Spencer Academy, Derby

Read Article

07 September 2023

D2N2 Cornerstone Employers discuss the Social Value Act and the importance of supporting local schools in new film

Read Article

06 September 2023

Former ‘Megawatt Valley’ to metamorphose into hydrogen heartland with the launch of East Midlands Hydrogen – the UK’s largest inland hydrogen cluster

Read Article

05 September 2023

Derby Museums publishes report revealing the impressive social impact of the Museum of Making capital project

Read Article

31 August 2023

D2N2 is seeking delivery partners for Wave 5 of Skills Bootcamps in Digital and Green Skills

Read Article

Get in touch.

Subscribe to get our latest updates.

Sign up
Address

D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership
8 Experian Way
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG2 1EP

Social

Our Partners