The US and UK have agreed on a partnership to help develop new fusion energy with the British company Tokamak Energy, driving the UK towards being a clean energy superpower.

Never seen before, this project between the two government has been given a backing of £40.5 million to advance lithium research, which will boost progress towards commercialising fusion energy. Fusion energy has the potential to generate a near-unlimited supply of clean electricity for families and businesses.

Fusion is a process that combines two forms of hydrogen and releases huge amounts of energy when they’re heated at extreme temperatures. This process leverages funding from the US into UK supply chains and growth of high-quality jobs.

This project is due to start in 2025 at Tokamak Energy’s Oxfordshire facility, and will focus on enhancing the efficiency and durability of plasma-facing components, which are a critical challenge in unlocking fusion’s potential.

This is the first joint project since the UK and US announced their fusion energy collaboration last November, which highlights the UK’s leadership in building public-private cooperation to boost energy development. Fusion energy is a key technology in revolutionising clean energy for the foreseeable future.

Climate minister Kerry McCarthy said: “The UK and US are world leaders in the development of fusion energy and I’m delighted that both sides are collaborating to accelerate progress, which will help deliver new jobs across the country, grow our economy and make us more energy secure.

“This project represents a bold step forward in the global race to commercialise fusion. By working with our international partners and the private sector, we are paving the way for a future of clean, limitless energy.”