National Policy Statement for Fusion Energy Generation

Lord Khan of Burnley Excerpts

Tuesday 10th November 2026 Grand Committee

[Lord Khan of Burnley (Lab)]

My Lords, I welcome the publication of the Draft National Policy Statement for Fusion Energy EN-8. We stand at a critical juncture in our transition to a clean energy future. Fusion energy offers the extraordinary promise of near-limitless low-carbon power without the long-lived high-level radioactive waste associated with traditional nuclear fission. By establishing a dedicated, streamlined planning framework today, we ensure that the United Kingdom remains a global leader in commercialising this revolutionary technology.

We can see the tangible reality of this ambition right now in Nottinghamshire with the pioneering spherical tokamak for energy production, or STEP, project at West Burton. This world-first prototype is not just a scientific experiment; it is an economic engine for the East Midlands, proving that the green transition can drive regional growth, create high-skilled jobs and revitalise our industrial heartlands. By providing a clear planning pathway through EN-8, we give the STEP project and the commercial ventures that will inevitably follow it the long-term certainty that they need to succeed.

I particularly welcome the Government’s decision to grant fusion projects critical national priority status, aligning them with our broader decarbonisation goals under EN-1. Furthermore, distinguishing fusion from fission by removing rigid population density restrictions is a sensible, science-led approach that recognises the inherent safety advantages of fusion technology, where a meltdown or runaway chain reaction is physically impossible.

However, while we must pave the way for innovation, we cannot afford to outpace our regulatory safeguards. A robust policy framework must answer the difficult questions before the concrete is poured. First, we must address the capacity and readiness of our regulators. The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee recently raised valid concerns regarding the relative inexperience of environmental regulators with first-of-a-kind commercial fusion. How are the Government planning to resource the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive so that they can rigorously assess complex systems such as STEP without administrative bottlenecks?

Secondly, while fusion does not produce high-level waste, it generates significant amounts of low and intermediate-level radioactive materials through tritium use and materials activation. What specific criteria would EN-8 enforce regarding lifecycle assessments and the long-term decommissioning of these facilities? Where and how will this waste be safely managed?

Finally, as prototypes scale up into commercial plants, we must look at the broader geopolitical and security landscape. How will this planning framework interact with non-proliferation considerations, particularly concerning the international supply chains for deuterium and tritium?

EN-8 is a bold, necessary and deeply exciting step forward. If we can resolve these pressing questions around regulatory resourcing, waste management and supply chain security, we will not only secure our own energy independence but pioneer a clean energy blueprint for the rest of the world. I thank the Minister for introducing the national policy statement and for her introductory remarks, and I look forward to her response.