nuclear-news

Touting a ‘new age of nuclear fusion’

 West Burton, a sprawling site that is also home to a gas-fired station,
has been chosen as the location for a nuclear fusion plant that the
government aims to have in operation by 2040.

It is an ambitious plan.
Fusion has been the next big thing in energy since the 1950s, but it still
faces big technical obstacles to becoming a reality. It also will be a race
against a big field of international rivals.

The largest developed
economies, in particular the United States and Japan, are pouring billions
into fusion research, as are a gaggle of deep-pocketed technology
billionaires.

Before Brexit, Britain was a leading member of a
multinational effort spearheaded by the European Union. The West Burton
plan represents it striking out on its own.

It will not be a small
undertaking. Paul Methven, the executive in charge of the project, says it
is too early to estimate the likely cost, but suggests that the plant and
its associated infrastructure will be of a similar size to Hinkley Point C,
the nuclear power station being built in Somerset by EDF. That scheme’s
latest budget estimate is £33 billion.

 Times 7th Jan 2024

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-new-age-of-nuclear-fusion-may-finally-be-about-to-dawn-mxbbvxr03

January 10, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | technology, UK