14 September, London – UK Fusion Energy Ltd, the organisation responsible for delivering the UK’s first prototype fusion power plant, has announced a strategic partnership with INFINITY to develop advanced manufacturing capability for STEP Fusion.
INFINITY is developing a 200-acre advanced manufacturing site at Infinity Park in Derby, bringing together full-scale prototyping, digital engineering, testing and validation, skills development and supply chain collaboration.
The partnership will allow UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) to help shape the site’s future capabilities around the needs of STEP Fusion, the UK’s programme to develop a prototype fusion power plant at West Burton in Nottinghamshire.
This includes manufacturing, inspection and validation of large, complex and high-integrity components using technologies such as hot isostatic pressing, power beam welding and additive manufacturing.
Delivering STEP Fusion will require manufacturing and validation capabilities that do not currently exist at sufficient scale in the UK. Building more of that capability domestically could reduce reliance on overseas facilities, help protect valuable intellectual property (IP), shorten development cycles and provide greater control over strategically important technologies and components.
INFINITY will bring together major programmes, industrial partners, specialist suppliers and universities, giving UK businesses access to advanced facilities while helping build the skills needed to work in fusion and other highly regulated sectors.
UKFE is the first partner to be announced by INFINITY, with further partners expected as the site develops.
The collaboration also supports wider ambitions for industrial growth in the East Midlands, linking STEP Fusion’s development at West Burton with advanced manufacturing capability in Derby.
Dan Bishop, Chief Commercial Officer at UK Fusion Energy, said:
“Delivering STEP Fusion will depend on manufacturing capabilities that do not yet exist at the scale we need. This partnership gives us the opportunity to help shape those capabilities around the future needs of the programme.
“By working with INFINITY, we can support the development of advanced manufacturing, testing and validation capability in the UK, while creating more opportunities for industry to contribute to STEP and the wider fusion economy.”
Prof. Gary Jones, Chief Executive of INFINITY, said:
“A key objective of INFINITY is to bring sovereign manufacturing of advanced components to the UK, and this agreement will help to achieve that.
“STEP Fusion is shaping the future of UK energy supply and is a fitting first partner for the transformational technology capability we are developing through INFINITY.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE) is responsible for delivering the UK’s flagship fusion programme, STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production). The organisation is leading the design and development of the UK’s first prototype fusion energy plant at West Burton in Nottinghamshire, targeting first operations in the 2040s. Working with industry and research partners, UKFE is building a public-private alliance to scale commercial fusion energy and support long-term energy security.
STEP Fusion is a world-leading UK programme advancing fusion energy towards commercial deployment. Its mission is to demonstrate net energy, fuel self-sufficiency, and electricity generation from fusion, while helping to grow a new fusion industry. The programme will deliver a prototype spherical tokamak power plant and is led by UK Fusion Energy Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Group.
INFINITY is the trading name of Infinity Technology Group Ltd, a private company developing a 200-acre advanced manufacturing site at Infinity Park in Derby. The site will support research, development, prototyping, testing and manufacture of components for fusion, fission, defence and aerospace, including large-scale HIP, power beam welding and additive manufacturing.
