Private Fusion to Drive UK Growth
Press Release
Private Fusion to Drive UK Growth
- The UK Government issued its 2026 fusion energy strategy, with the focus squarely on industrial growth.
- UK becomes the first government globally to commit to publish a market framework for the deployment of commercial fusion plants.
- The strategy gives greater certainty to the global fusion industry as the majority of companies aim to provide fusion-generated power in the 2030s.
LONDON, U.K. (March 16, 2026): UK Government today issued its 2026 fusion energy strategy, with the focus squarely on industrial growth.
Significantly, the UK has become the first Government globally to commit to publish a market framework for the deployment of commercial fusion plants.
Tristram Denton, FIA UK Director, said: “Committing to publish details of the UK market framework for commercial fusion is a vital step, giving fusion companies far greater commercial certainty as they prepare to deliver plants which will provide power in the 2030s.
Tristram went on: “UK Government spends more on fusion as a percentage of GDP than any other country. Alongside UKAEA’s world leading capabilities and skills, this offers a huge opportunity for growth, in a market which could value some $40Tn in just a few decades. This industrially-focused strategy means the sector can confidently view the UK as a great place for fusion development, deployment, and supply. We welcome the UK’s continuing leadership in the global drive to commercial fusion.”
“With commercial fusion now likely less than a decade away, fusion companies are ready to work hand-in-hand with UK Government, to jointly enable commercial deployment here and globally, built on a UK value chain.”
The strategy identified priority sectors for the UK in a fusion supply chain, and gave further direction on the pathway for commercial fusion build.
Tristram welcomed this: “Identification of specific sub-sectors gives further clarity on the future shape of the UK market. FIA members – based in Britain, and globally – have long been keen to deploy in the UK and to work more with UK suppliers. With commitment to engage around those areas and careful use of the £2.5Bn+ allocated, we can deliver tangible progress within this Parliament.
Alongside announcement of the strategy, FIA affiliate member Eni agreed to establish a new company with UKAEA, bringing their combined world-leading expertise to advance fusion energy technologies. Further details about the company will be announced in May 2026. Alongside last year’s partnership with FIA member TAE Technologies, this shows UKAEA leading the way on collaborations with industry, driving transformational capabilities into the UK commercial fusion sector.
UKIFS also announced the selection of its long-awaited Construction Partner, the Ilios venture, comprising AECOM, AL_A, Kier, Nuvia, and Turner & Townsend.
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About the Fusion Industry Association (FIA): FIA is the leading voice of the fusion industry and a central point for coordination across the global fusion community to support accelerated growth.
