After publishing a Green Paper on its recommendations for fusion regulation in October 2021, the government started a consultation to solicit input from the public, industry, academics, and other stakeholders.
Its response to the consultation was released today on the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s website. It confirms:
- Current UK regulators of fusion R&D facilities will retain responsibility for fusion. This means future fusion facilities will continue to be regulated by the EA and HSE (or devolved bodies as appropriate).
- This regulatory approach will apply to all planned fusion prototype energy facilities in the UK. This provides clarity to developers of prototype / demonstration fusion facilities currently being planned to support rapid commercialisation.
- The government will legislate to make clear in law the regulatory treatment of fusion energy. This provides certainty and confidence to the industry by amending the law to exclude fusion energy facilities from nuclear regulatory and licensing requirements.
“Input from UK and foreign specialists has been vital in helping the government reach a conclusion on how to regulate this quickly emerging, cutting-edge technology,” said Science Minister George Freeman. We are optimistic that existing UK laws will be sufficient to maintain safety standards in a proportional manner.
“We believe that the decisions – based on the best available evidence and now supported by regulators, the fusion industry and other experts – are the right ones to help move safely and determinedly towards fusion energy.”
Prof. Ian Chapman, UKAEA Chief Executive, added: “This early confirmation of a proportionate regulatory framework will help accelerate the progress of fusion energy, which has great potential to deliver safe, sustainable, low carbon energy for generations to come. It demonstrates our government’s high-level support and progressive approach to enabling fusion to happen here in the UK.
“Our work continues to create jobs and drive economic growth while placing the UK at the forefront of the international scientific community. This national capability and new regulatory framework is also helping to attract overseas investment, giving us the very best opportunity to become a global exporter of fusion technology.”
The government’s proposals consider the assessment of the hazard of fusion energy facilities, and the significant difference to nuclear fission power plants. It is now putting in place a programme of work to develop areas of the regulatory framework.
The UK’s Fusion Strategy outlines how the country plans to assist the development of fusion energy for commercial industrial use over the next two decades, based on the same processes that power the sun and stars.
The Joint European Torus, the world’s most powerful fusion laboratory, operated by UKAEA near Culham, Oxford, broke its own record for sustained fusion energy in December 2021. During its 39-year existence, JET has been successfully controlled by the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive.
By the end of 2021, the global private fusion industry had raised more over $4 billion, up $2 billion from the previous year. The UK government’s endorsement of a regulatory regime today will give investors in fusion in the UK much more assurance.