Canada’s General Fusion – one of the leading private firms aiming to turn the promise of fusion into a commercially viable energy source – is set to build a large-scale nuclear fusion demonstration plant in Oxfordshire.

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The firm, backed by Jeff Bezos, are aiming to build at Culham – home of the UK’s national fusion research programme. The demonstration plant wont generate power but will be 70% the size of a commercial reactor.

General Fusion will enter a long-term commercial lease with the UK Atomic Energy Authority following the construction which it aims to have operational by 2025 costing around £290m.

Fusion – the process by which the Sun generates energy – is set to play a crucial role in tackling the global climate crisis. It differs from the traditional nuclear approach by attempting to fuse atoms together rather than splitting them – creating a safer, carbon-free energy source that produces very little radioactive waste.

Christofer Morwy, Chief Executive of General Fusion, said: “Coming to Culham gives us the opportunity to benefit from the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s expertise. By locating at this campus we will expand our market presence beyond North America into Europe, broadening our global network of government, institutional, and industrial partners. This is incredibly exciting news for not only General Fusion but also the global effort to develop practical fusion energy.”

UK Science Minister Amanda Solloway added: “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.”

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