STEP Fusion and Historic England have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to celebrate and protect the historic character of the West Burton site – the future home of the UK prototype fusion power plant.
The agreement was signed on 27 November by Claudia Kenyatta, Co-CEO of Historic England, and Paul Methven, CEO of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Limited and Responsible Officer for STEP Fusion. It sets out a shared ambition to ensure that the transformation of the site remains sensitive to the heritage and natural environment of the area.
West Burton is deeply rooted in the UK’s energy story. It powered the nation and was part of the famous Megawatt Valley, with a high concentration of power generating facilities along the River Trent. In years to come the site will be home to a clean energy revolution – the site of the first of its kind fusion power plant.
The MoU reflects commitment to responsible stewardship of historic areas and cultural legacy, including areas of special interest in the site, such as the site of the former medieval village and chapel, close to the power station, which is protected as a Scheduled Monument.
Paul Methven CEO of STEP Fusion said:
“The STEP Fusion endeavour is bold and considered. We are committed to working with partners such as Historic England to ensure that the story of West Burton continues and that the past is respected and protected. We believe that innovation and conservation can work hand in hand on our site.”
Claudia Kenyatta, Co-CEO of Historic England added:
“We’re delighted to be working with STEP Fusion to help shape a future for West Burton and support our shared heritage whilst moving forward to an exciting new era for the site.
This MoU demonstrates our shared commitment to the distinctive historic environment and the long history of energy production in North Nottinghamshire.”
The MoU will guide ongoing collaboration between STEP Fusion and Historic England including considerations at the early planning stages as the programme progresses towards construction in 2030.
For more information on our STEP journey see www.stepfusion.com
Notes to Editors
The first of its kind, STEP Fusion is the UK’s major technology and infrastructure programme to build a prototype fusion power plant that will demonstrate net energy, fuel self-sufficiency and a viable route to plant maintenance. This will pave the way for the potential development of a fleet of future fusion power plants around the world and the commercialisation of fusion energy.
We’ll achieve this by producing a prototype tokamak power plant – in an innovative spherical shape – that will demonstrate net energy. That’s why the programme is called STEP: it stands for ‘Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production’. But STEP Fusion is about more than tokamak technology – it’s a huge endeavour encompassing design, site development and construction, alongside supply chain logistics and industry. Fusion research and development has the potential to catalyse new ideas and technologies that will benefit multiple industries and help secure our future on this planet.
By fusing government and business, inspiration and pragmatism, theory and practice, UK-expertise and international impact, we’re going to realise the step-change that will secure humanity’s bright future. A recent report by AMION, commissioned by local authorities, set out the economic potential of the STEP programme.
Read the AMION report (PDF)
To sign-up for updates about STEP Fusion, visit: www.stepfusion.com or follow our social channels @STEPtoFusion.
For interview requests, images or further comment please email us: media.step@ukifs.uk
Historic England
We are Historic England, the public body that protects and brings life to the heritage that matters to us all, so it lives on and is loved for longer. From the extraordinary to the everyday, our historic places and spaces matter. From community centres to cathedrals, homes to high streets, markets to mills – there are special places we all choose to hold onto, the legacy we want to pass on and the stories we continue to tell. That’s why we work together with people across England to discover, protect and bring new life to our shared historic environment, providing advice, knowledge, support and services. Follow us on social media @HistoricEngland.
Contact
For media enquiries, interviews, or further information:
Email: communications.step@UKIFS.uk
