Prototype Nuclear Fusion Plant

27 October, 2025

Hereward Phillpot KC has been instructed by United Kingdom Industrial Fusion Solutions Limited in the promotion of a Development Consent Order for the country’s first nuclear fusion prototype plant on the site of the former EDF West Burton Power Station in Nottinghamshire.

Prototype Nuclear Fusion Plant

27 October, 2025

Hereward Phillpot KC has been instructed by United Kingdom Industrial Fusion Solutions Limited in the promotion of a Development Consent Order for the country’s first nuclear fusion prototype plant on the site of the former EDF West Burton Power Station in Nottinghamshire.

Fusion energy has the potential to provide an abundant source of zero carbon energy by replicating the process which occurs at the centre of stars and powers the sun.  Unlike nuclear fission, the processes that drive fusion do not cause a chain reaction, and no high-level radioactive waste is produced.

The Spherical Tokomak for Energy Production (STEP) plant will be the first of its kind, designed and constructed to demonstrate the ability to use nuclear fusion to put net electricity on the grid, and to enable future commercial fusion energy plants to be commissioned and constructed.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is currently engaged in the process of developing a Fusion Energy National Policy Statement (NPS) EN-8 to provide clarity on the planning of fusion power plants.

The Instructing Solicitors are Alex Minhinick and Adam Reeves at Burges Salmon LLP.