Nottinghamshire bid to host "world's first" fusion energy plant comes a step close
Two existing power stations in the county are in the running to host the new site
Part of the site at Ratcliffe-on-Soar and West Burton A, near Retford have both made it to the final 15 sites as part of a search by the government for alternative energy plans.
The UK government is hoping to be the first to develop a commercial power station that will use fusion reactions to generate electricity.
The project is being led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
The two Nottinghamshire sites join the 15-strong "long list" of sites identified by the UKAEA, aimed to be built by 2040.
Councillor Ben Bradley MP, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said
“This is hugely exciting news for Nottinghamshire. Achieving STEP would bring incredible benefits to the county, putting it at the heart of the government’s plans to revolutionise the way we generate energy in the UK and position Nottinghamshire as a major player in the levelling up agenda.
“It would build on the existing strengths of our universities and manufacturing sectors, but would also create new skills, training, and thousands of highly skilled jobs, attracting investment and deliver amazing overall benefits to our regional economy including the lucrative opportunities for the local supply chain to help construct the plant.
“We are an ambitious county and have a proud heritage of producing energy 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 - during the second half of this century.
“We’ll be doing all that we can to help bring this once-in-a-life time opportunity to Nottinghamshire by continuing to work closely with our partners, including the landowners.”
UKAEA now plan to engage with the relevant local authorities and the current landowners to decide the next round of shortlisted sites before the end of 2021.