Gloucestershire could host world first fusion powerplant
It would create carbon free nuclear power for the county and the UK
Gloucestershire could host the world first fusion powerplant if a bid made by the county council is successful.
In a cabinet meeting on Wedensday (March 24), it was agreed that a £60,000 bid would be made to the UK Atomic Energy Agency to have the power plant built at the Berkley and Oldbury sites.
The ambitious 21-year programme aims to deliver a net energy prototype fusion powerplant by 2040 alongside an innovation centre and business park.
It's hoped to bring transformational benefits to the local community, the South West and the UK such as business, supply chain and high quality job opportunities, education, training and skills.
It will also help with working towards building a sustainable future and providing limitless, safe and clean carbon energy.
Cllr Patrick Molyneux, cabinet member for Economy, Education and Skills, said:
"We are at like not other time in the history of fusion nuclear power closer to getting it tow work.
"This project is about making that 20 years in 20 years and delivering a fusion power plant.
"This is seen as a major project for our area and the wider area of Gloucestershire ad Western Gateway".
The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has put out a call to identify a site to host a world first prototype fusion energy reactor; Spherical Tokomak for Energy Production project (STEP).
The Government has backed up this announcement with an initial £220M STEP Programme, with potential for several billions of pounds of capital injection and a lasting legacy of employment.
Mark Hawthorne, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said:
"This is game-changing and transformational.
"It's a technology that offers a green future and it's something that offers Gloucestershire an opportunity to be at the very heart of that green revolution.
"I think it's something we should whole-heartedly back".