Nuclear fusion investment boosts UK economy by £1.4bn, study shows

UK nuclear fusion industry 30112020
UK nuclear fusion industry 30112020

Government investment in nuclear fusion technology has boosted the UK economy by £1.4 billion and created 4,000 jobs a year.

This is according to findings revealed in an economic study by London Economics.

London Economics looked at the financial and economic impacts of the UK’s public investments in the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA’s) fusion research from 2009-2019.

UK nuclear fusion in numbers


  • Allocated funding of £346.7 million resulted in a direct gain of £1.4 billion

  • For every £1 invested in UKAEA, approximately £4 is generated in return

  • Approximately 36,900 direct and indirect job years were created through direct employment and related activities – equivalent to the creation of 4,000 jobs on average each year

  • The UK economy gained up to £363.7 million from contracts directly won by UK organisations for the international fusion megaproject, ITER

  • UKAEA’s contribution to understanding of fusion energy was identified to be significant, with UKAEA having increased the volume, quality and reputation of UK fusion and related research. Without UKAEA, the field of fusion research in the UK would likely be heavily fragmented with far less cooperation

  • Advances to “fusion-adjacent” technologies through technology transfer from fusion. These include advancements in robotics, developments of new materials and contributions to computing and artificial intelligence. Future applications are expected in other fields, such as space exploration, mining and healthcare, and transport.

  • Indirect benefits in upskilling of the UK workforce through an improvement in skills, knowledge transfer between academia and industries, improved fusion reactor designs and the creation of standards for fusion and contribution to public policy and strategy.

What is nuclear fusion?


Fusion energy is a form of low-carbon energy whereby the power of the sun is replicated on earth.

At equal mass to traditional energy sources, fusion energy releases nearly four million times more energy than the burning of coal, oil or gas, and four times as much as nuclear fission reactions.

It promises minimal impact to the environment, long-term reliability and weather independence.

Related: UK’s first nuclear fusion power plant is now one step closer


Ian Chapman, UKAEA CEO, said: “The report highlights much that is positive about UKAEA’s work. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg with regards to UKAEA’s capabilities and fusion energy’s projected contribution to our shared economic, ecological and social future.

“Fusion energy research and development needs long-term and large-scale investments. There are substantial benefits fusion research and development can deliver not only to the economy, but also to the UK’s net zero target by 2050, which means going beyond the decarbonisation of electricity.

“Our mission is to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise scientific and economic benefit.”

UKAEA www.gov.uk/ukaea

Company

UKAEA

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