UK Fusion Energy has today launched a major procurement programme worth up to £115 million, seeking five industry partners to help design and deliver critical systems for STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), the UK’s programme to develop a prototype fusion energy plant at West Burton, Nottinghamshire.
The new contracts mark another significant milestone for STEP and will bring together world-leading engineering and industrial expertise to tackle some of the most complex challenges in fusion energy development.
The five System Partner opportunities cover key areas of the future power plant, from fuel management and plant controls through to whole-plant integration and large-scale engineering testing. Together, they will help mature designs, reduce technical risks and accelerate progress towards delivering commercially viable fusion energy.
The opportunities available are:
- Breeder Blanket System Partner – supporting the development of systems that capture energy from the fusion process and help produce future fuel supplies.
- Fuel Cycle System Partner – advancing technologies needed to supply, process, recycle and store fusion fuels.
- Test Operations Partner – developing and operating test facilities to validate technologies and engineering solutions before deployment.
- Control System Partner – helping to define and develop the systems, software and instrumentation that will monitor and coordinate plant operations.
- Systems Engineering and Whole Plant Integration Partner – supporting the integration of complex plant systems to ensure an efficient and operational facility.
The procurement programme represents a major opportunity for industry to play a direct role in one of the most ambitious clean energy projects in the world.
STEP Fusion is bringing together expertise from across engineering, manufacturing, technology and infrastructure sectors to solve the challenges associated with commercial fusion energy. UK Fusion Energy is building the industrial capability and supply chain required to support the development of a future fusion industry in the UK.
By working alongside leading organisations from across the public and private sectors, our aim is not only to demonstrate fusion as a future source of abundant low-carbon energy, but also to create new opportunities for innovation, investment, jobs and skills development.
Organisations interested in applying can access the full contract notice and procurement information via the UK Government’s Find a Tender Service.
Find out more: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/107283-2026
