UK to sign nuclear fusion AI pact with US

Government estimates that bringing “fusion power closer to reality” will create 10,000 UK jobs by 2030.

September 14th 2026, https://www.energyvoice.com/renewables-energy-transition/603758/uk-to-sign-nuclear-fusion-ai-pact-with-us/

The UK and the US are expected to announced agreements at a summit in London aimed at delivering progress across the global fusion energy sector.

The first agreement will launch a new supercomputing partnership between the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, combining AI computing and fusion to accelerate development.

The UK and US will also sign a joint statement committing to closer co-operation on regulating fusion energy at the Global Fusion Policy Summit in London Monday.

Energy minister Michael Shanks said nuclear fusion, a nascent technology, would deliver thousands of jobs in the UK in the next three years.

The UK has been pursuing fusion technology through a series of investment and support programs based around Oxford, Birmingham and Nottingham, and announced “record” £2.5 billion investment in fusion energy technology in May.

According to the UK Fusion Investment Prospectus, also published in May, the global fusion market could in future be worth between £3 trillion and £12trn.

Energy minister, Michael Shanks, said: “Fusion has the potential to provide virtually limitless clean energy while supporting more than 10,000 jobs across the UK by 2030, attracting investment and creating major opportunities for British businesses.

“By strengthening our partnership with the US we’re accelerating the race to commercial fusion, turning cutting-edge research into economic growth and cementing Britain’s position as a world leader in fusion energy.”

On top of the UK-US agreements, Japan’s largest fusion company, Kyoto Fusioneering, will also invest up to £3 million in the UK’s prototype fusion energy plant, the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project at the former coal-burning West Burton power station in Nottingham.

Further, the University of Birmingham’s Electric Power Research Institute and industry partners have launched a £2.63 million collaboration on fusion materials through through the FURESHMA (Fusion Reactor Shielding Materials) programme.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) minister for the Americas, Chris Elmore said: “The UK’s relationship with the United States supports growth and thousands of jobs at home.

“By bringing together world-leading expertise in fusion, artificial intelligence and advanced computing, we’re helping British businesses and researchers access the investment, knowledge and international partnerships needed to succeed in the industries of the future.”