Fusion reactor

UK’s most research-intensive universities back plans to bring Fusion to Severn Edge

Following strategic partnership with the Western Gateway, the GW4 Alliance announce their support for the partnership's plans to bring the UK's fusion industry to the area.

The universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter have lent their support to a campaign to bring the UK’s fusion industry to sites in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire.

The GW4 Alliance, a research consortium which brings together these four universities, has written a letter of support for plans to bring the UK’s first prototype fusion plant to the area.

Led by the Western Gateway partnership, the campaign aims to bring the plant, which is part of the UK Government’s STEP programme, to sites in Oldbury and Berkely. The STEP programme intends to prove the commercial viability of fusion which has been described as having the potential to become the “ultimate low carbon energy” source, recreating the reaction that takes place within the sun.

The letter states that situating the UK’s STEP programme at Severn Edge would place it at the “heart of an academic cluster with a unique breadth of skills and research capacity”, significantly increasing “the chances of successfully delivering STEP”.

Dr Jo Jenkinson MBE, Director of the GW4 Alliance, said: “Alternative energy sources are urgently needed to move us away from our reliance on fossil fuels. This proposal offers an unprecedented opportunity to engage with a wealth of energy research expertise, world class facilities and cutting-edge equipment across the four GW4 universities. Combined, we can play a key role in driving green and economic regional growth in the area, which is why we offer our full support to the Severn Edge STEP Fusion bid.”

The Western Gateway partnership campaign was recently announced as being in the top five sites in the running to host STEP.  The bid also recently received support from businesses, political leaders and the community.

Katherine Bennett CBE, Chair of the Western Gateway Partnership, said: “Our bid to bring the UK’s STEP programme to the Western Gateway area offers access to the right skills and supply chain to ensure the UK is world-leading in developing this fuel which could prove vital in our efforts to tackling climate change.

“Not only this, but our site in Severn Edge is also unique in meaning the programme would stand to benefit two countries across the union offering opportunities to level up communities in Wales and England at risk of being left behind.”

The Western Gateway partnership and the GW4 recently announced a strategic partnership, promising to work together through shared expertise and knowledge to power mutual projects that aim to level up communities and help the world achieve a net zero carbon economy faster.

Read more about the Severn Edge bid and register your support on our campaign page.