The UK's flagship nuclear fusion project has taken control of part of the former West Burton power station site, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of one of Nottinghamshire's most recognised industrial landmarks.
UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) completed the first phase of the acquisition of the former coal-fired power station from EDF on 23 March 2026, with the first parcel of land transferring three and a half years ahead of schedule. The milestone has been described as a demonstration of strong government commitment to the programme.
Operational responsibility for parts of the site has now transferred to UK Fusion Energy (UKFE), a wholly owned subsidiary of UKAEA and the organisation responsible for delivering the STEP Fusion programme. EDF will continue to occupy and operate other areas of the site under agreed transitional arrangements, while demolition of the former power station continues in the south and ash extraction progresses in the north.
New Offices Opened on Site
To mark the progress, UKFE Board members joined colleagues for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open a new office building on site. The facility is now home to the STEP Fusion project management team and will support the rapid expansion of construction partner ILIOS as activity accelerates.
Paul Methven, CEO of UKFE, said: "Securing operational control of the West Burton site was a pivotal moment for the STEP programme. It gives us the certainty, the space and the responsibility to begin shaping the site for the decades ahead.
"With our construction partner now in place, we can move forward with early enabling works that will prepare West Burton for the first major build phases. The progress we're seeing demonstrates strong confidence in the programme and reflects our long-term commitment to the community in delivering a world-leading fusion energy programme for the UK."
What is STEP?
STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Productio) is the UK government's programme to design and build a prototype fusion energy plant at West Burton. If successful, it could become one of the most significant energy projects in British history, with the potential to deliver clean, near-limitless power for decades to come. The project is expected to bring significant long-term investment and job creation to the Bassetlaw region.