UK Declines Rejoining the ITER Nuclear Fusion Project
In a strategic move following Brexit, the UK government has opted not to rejoin the ITER nuclear fusion project, the world's largest fusion experiment. The decision came after an invitation to rejoin was extended by the European Union this week. Instead, the UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing fusion research domestically, both through public and private initiatives.
The ITER project, located in France, has faced numerous delays and is now slated for completion in 2025. Originally, the UK had access to ITER through its membership in the EU. However, since Brexit, the UK's participation has ceased.
While the head of Euratom Research, Elena Righi, advocated for the UK's official re-entry into ITER during a recent event in Oxfordshire, the UK government remains steadfast in its decision. Andrew Bowie, the UK minister responsible for nuclear energy, emphasizes that the decision not to rejoin ITER was driven by practical considerations. He stated that redirecting the £650 million previously allocated to ITER membership towards domestic fusion projects would be more beneficial in the long run.
The UK is actively pursuing the development of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP), a fusion power station expected to create plasma by 2035 and achieve net energy gain shortly thereafter. This ambitious project represents the UK's commitment to advancing fusion technology independently.
While the UK has ruled out an official re-entry into ITER, Bowie expressed openness to exploring other forms of collaboration with the project. He emphasized the importance of private sector investment in realizing the commercial potential of fusion energy.
Experts believe that initiatives like STEP offer promising alternatives to large-scale fusion projects like ITER. Spherical reactors like STEP could potentially lead to smaller and more cost-effective fusion power generation, presenting a path forward for the UK to demonstrate significant progress in fusion research ahead of its European counterparts.
The UK's decision not to rejoin ITER reflects its strategic focus on advancing fusion technology domestically, signaling a new chapter in its pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.
