News: £5m backing to bring world leading fusion technology test rigs to Rotherham
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is supporting the acceleration of high priority test rig capabilities within an existing Fusion Technology Facility building in Rotherham.
The £5m investment will help create up to 25 jobs and four apprenticeships by the end of 2027.
UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), which has a mission to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise scientific and economic benefit, opened a £22m facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in 2021. The facility has expanded operations and deepened industry collaborations on advanced engineering projects, strengthening UKAEA's regional presence in materials, components and robotics testing.
The next investment from the government research organisation, previously codenamed Project Caerus, involves two rigs (experimental facilities).
A High Heat Flux (HHF) Laser Facility (HALO) enables researchers to expose materials and components to extreme thermal loads similar to those found in fusion environments and to rapidly cycle these loads. This capability underpins critical research into materials resilience and fatigue, as well as structural integrity which is essential for designing future fusion reactors.
The new rig should also support high-performance industries such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and next generation materials engineering, where understanding heat stress and failure modes is essential for innovation.
The second test rig is called Fusion Oriented Robotics Technology (FORT) - the first Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) rig located at the Rotherham facility, making it a significant milestone for the region.
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The UKAEA specialises in designing, building, and operating robotic systems for extreme industrial environments. The new addition to the AMP facility is expected to attract specialist engineering, controls, software, and mechatronics expertise into South Yorkshire.
Much like HALO, other industries are also set to benefit such as thise that use precision manufacturing, autonomous systems, and complex industrial operations, where remote manipulation and inspection have high economic value.
An update from the UKAEA said: "Together, these rigs represent a strategic, future-facing investment that supports scientific progress, economic benefit, strengthens regional competitiveness, and increases the UK’s ability to develop and export high-value technologies. This investment will contribute both to UKAEA’s national mission and UKAEA South Yorkshire’s economic ambitions."
The site’s expanded role aims to attract other UKAEA directorates to base teams in the region, leveraging the strong local talent pool, and deepening UKAEA’s presence in the north of England.
Professor Dennis Whyte has recently been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of UKAEA Group which has 2,600 people across four sites - over 60 are based in Rotherham.
Prof, Whyte said: "I am excited to be joining the exceptional team at UKAEA, which has a compelling plan for delivering commercial fusion energy, developing key technologies for fusion energy extraction, and the largest workforce in the world committed to advancing the development of fusion science and engineering in its widest forms."
UKAEA website
Images: UKAEA
The £5m investment will help create up to 25 jobs and four apprenticeships by the end of 2027.
UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), which has a mission to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise scientific and economic benefit, opened a £22m facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in 2021. The facility has expanded operations and deepened industry collaborations on advanced engineering projects, strengthening UKAEA's regional presence in materials, components and robotics testing.
The next investment from the government research organisation, previously codenamed Project Caerus, involves two rigs (experimental facilities).
A High Heat Flux (HHF) Laser Facility (HALO) enables researchers to expose materials and components to extreme thermal loads similar to those found in fusion environments and to rapidly cycle these loads. This capability underpins critical research into materials resilience and fatigue, as well as structural integrity which is essential for designing future fusion reactors.
The new rig should also support high-performance industries such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and next generation materials engineering, where understanding heat stress and failure modes is essential for innovation.
The second test rig is called Fusion Oriented Robotics Technology (FORT) - the first Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) rig located at the Rotherham facility, making it a significant milestone for the region.
Advertisement
The UKAEA specialises in designing, building, and operating robotic systems for extreme industrial environments. The new addition to the AMP facility is expected to attract specialist engineering, controls, software, and mechatronics expertise into South Yorkshire.
Much like HALO, other industries are also set to benefit such as thise that use precision manufacturing, autonomous systems, and complex industrial operations, where remote manipulation and inspection have high economic value.
An update from the UKAEA said: "Together, these rigs represent a strategic, future-facing investment that supports scientific progress, economic benefit, strengthens regional competitiveness, and increases the UK’s ability to develop and export high-value technologies. This investment will contribute both to UKAEA’s national mission and UKAEA South Yorkshire’s economic ambitions."
Professor Dennis Whyte has recently been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of UKAEA Group which has 2,600 people across four sites - over 60 are based in Rotherham.
Prof, Whyte said: "I am excited to be joining the exceptional team at UKAEA, which has a compelling plan for delivering commercial fusion energy, developing key technologies for fusion energy extraction, and the largest workforce in the world committed to advancing the development of fusion science and engineering in its widest forms."
UKAEA website
Images: UKAEA
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