The UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ)says it is seeking views on its proposed approach for siting fusion energy facilities as part of a new National Policy Statement. The consultation closes on 3 July. “The purpose of this consultation is to begin the process towards designating a new fusion energy National Policy Statement.”
In his Foreword to the 40-page Consultation document, UK Minister for Nuclear & Renewables Andrew Bowie notes that to best commercialise fusion “developers, investors, and the wider fusion industry will need to be able to plan with confidence”. They need to know the regulatory and planning framework in which they will be operating, and the public need to be reassured that this new technology is being developed safely. “The UK has already made significant progress in this endeavour. I am proud to say that the UK was the first in the world to legislate for fusion regulation when we passed the Energy Act 2023. This groundbreaking legislation confirmed that fusion energy facilities would not be treated as a nuclear installation and the UK has already seen the benefits of being proportional and proactive in showing a clear vision for fusion regulation.”
However, the UK cannot take its leadership position in fusion and fusion regulation for granted, he adds. “The UK’s ambition, and commitment to capitalise on this global leadership, were reinforced with the publication of the UK’s updated Fusion Strategy in October 2023. As part of this, the Government wants to continue addressing the areas identified in its response to the fusion regulation consultation. This includes clarifying the planning process for future fusion power plants through a Fusion National Policy Statement (NPS), ensuring stability for investors and developers and encouraging the long-term investment fusion energy requires.”
When the overarching NPS (EN-1) was updated in 2023, it emphasised the important role fusion could have in providing baseload power. “This consultation now builds on EN-1 to set out and streamline the planning process for fusion power plants,” bowie notes. “The development of a new Fusion Energy NPS (EN-8) will be important in promoting the UK as a natural home for commercial fusion development, support the growth of fusion energy in the UK, and ensure that communities can benefit from the economic opportunities inherent to fusion development.” Through the consultation “we want to hear from communities, industry and investors to ensure that the NPS fully supports development of fusion power plants”.
The consultation document says the commercialisation of fusion energy is accelerating. The industry has attracted over $6bn in investment internationally to date, a figure which is $1.4bn more than in 2022. “Both public and private sector fusion organisations worldwide are designing prototype fusion power plants, with some organisations planning to start construction before the end of the decade. “If the UK is to capture a significant part of the private sector fusion market, clarity around the planning process and framework is required” – not just for private fusion companies, but also for the Government’s prototype fusion powerplant programme STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), investors, local communities, and all potential developers.
To provide clarity and enable the growing fusion industry, the Government is publishing its proposal for designating a new NPS for fusion energy. “In response to its consultation on a fusion energy regulatory framework, the Government has made clear that fusion will not be subject to a nuclear site licencing process in the same way as nuclear fission facilities due to the fundamental differences in technology, process and levels of hazard.”
The Government “proposes fusion should not be covered by a fission or any other energy NPS. A new standalone NPS, specifically for Fusion energy facilities, will instead give bespoke, effective, and clear guidance to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), developers and regulators to support the examination of Development Consent Order (DCO) applications.”
The consultation “proposes that EN-8 should employ an open-sited and technology inclusive approach to siting new fusion energy facilities, using strategic criteria when identifying and assessing new sites”. Criteria areas are proposed, which will be developed in more detail after conducting an Appraisal of Sustainability (AoS) and Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA).
The new Fusion NPS proposes to include all fusion energy facilities, independent of technology. The Government also proposes amending the Planning Act 2008 to include fusion energy facilities of all power outputs in England and independent of whether a facility provides electricity to the grid or generates heat for other industrial uses. “This will ensure that all first-of-a-kind (FOAK) prototype fusion energy facilities are included in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects process and if fusion is used for its high-grade heat, these facilities will not fall out of scope of EN-8.”
