New Labour Government must capitalise the seismic opportunity of commercial fusion, says UK’s leading fusion company
- First Light Fusion has called on the Government to act to maintain the UK’s world-leading position in the race to achieve commercial fusion
- The company says fusion has the potential to be at least 20% of the composition of clean base load energy by 2050
- The UK government is currently consulting on a ‘National Policy Statement for Fusion Energy’
15 July 2024: Oxford, UK - First Light Fusion (‘First Light’), the world’s leading Inertial Fusion Energy company, has called on the Labour Government to recognise the opportunity of fusion and act immediately to maintain the UK’s world-leading position in the field. The company has said that fusion is the key to realising the UK’s clean energy goals and warned that 2050 decarbonisation and climate targets cannot be met without it.
In its response to the Government’s National Policy Statement for Fusion Energy (see here) today, the company warns that UK fusion is at a “critical juncture” and ambitious action by Labour is urgently needed. It said Government can demonstrate “true fusion leadership” by being clear on how it will invest to maintain and accelerate the UK’s position in the race to achieve commercial fusion.
First Light is also calling on the Government to increase funding in ‘Inertial Fusion Energy’ (IFE) following the rapid technological gains made in the last three years. Historically, government funding and policy support has tended to favour ‘Magnetic Confinement Fusion’ (MCF). While MCF has a longer history than IFE research, rapid progress has been made in IFE by organisations including First Light, and the National Ignition Facility in the US which achieved ‘Net Energy Gain’ in December 2022 (see here). First Light has said that a National Policy Statement for fusion must reflect this progress and put plurality at its heart.
The UK government is currently consulting on a ‘National Policy Statement for Fusion Energy’, to provide clarity on the planning regime for fusion energy and establish broad policy ambitions for the sector. According to Government, the Statement is intended to “signal to global investors that the UK is providing a stable regulatory and planning base on which long-term investment can be made.” The consultation closes on 17 July 2024.
Key proposals in First Light’s submission to Government:
1. Support for multiple fusion technologies: The NPS should ensure genuine Government support for both magnetic and inertial fusion technologies currently under active development in the UK. This approach will increase the likelihood of a successful breakthrough and reflect the rapid progress being made to date with inertial fusion, even though it is a younger technology compared to the 60 years of research into magnetic confinement.
2. Clear siting guidelines for fusion plants: To avoid potential delays similar to those experienced with grid connections for other types of commercial power plant, the NPS must develop and publish clear guidelines for the siting of fusion plants. Given the power capacity of individual commercial fusion plants will likely be in the hundreds of megawatts, rather than gigawatts, a sizeable fleet will be needed. Understanding and planning for this now will be important to a successful, quicker rollout.
3. A coordinated cross-departmental approach: A coordinated and joined-up approach across both the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) will be essential to progressing fusion research and development and commercialisation.
4. An ambitious target date for commercial fusion: The Government’s proposals for a National Policy Statement for fusion in their current form do not commit to a specific deployment deadline for commercial fusion energy facilities. Establishing a target date for first commercial fusion in the UK by 2040 will catalyse investment, research and focus towards achieving this goal. This should be ambitious yet achievable to drive progress and demonstrate the UK’s ongoing commitment to leading in fusion energy.
The unique attributes of IFE, coupled with FLF’s proprietary amplifier technology, offers the possibility to simplify the pathway to commercial fusion energy which could lower the cost of energy from a fusion power plant.
Ryan Ramsey, Chief Operating Officer of First Light Fusion, said: "For over six decades, Britain’s dedicated efforts in fusion research have positioned us as a leader in this critical field.
“However, with global challengers in Europe, North America and Japan rapidly advancing in both technological innovation and funding, we [the UK] find ourselves at a critical juncture – and an opportunity for the UK to demonstrate leadership and speed.”
“The UK has a competitive advantage in that we are already home to some of the most cutting-edge fusion technologies in the world. Fusion is a huge economic and environmental opportunity for the UK, something the next Government needs to recognise and prioritise as part of a long-term strategy.
“We are calling on the next Government to develop a fusion strategy that is radical and ambitious. With the right policy changes and funding, commercial fusion is eminently achievable.
“Fusion is not a single horse race. If the UK wants to remain a global leader, it needs to back all credible approaches, including within the private sector, which is recording a much rapid rate of progress using it’s £650 million fusion war chest.
“I believe the new Labour government is serious about delivering energy security and moving countries out of energy poverty, and fusion is undoubtedly an underpinning energy source for achieving this. A clear strategy backed by the right funding and policy changes could completely transform fusion progression and our future energy system.”
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To speak with First Light Fusion about its key fusion policy proposals, please contact: firstlightfusion@sodali.com