Tokamak Energy has been confirmed as the Magnet Systems Partner for the UK’s STEP Fusion programme, announced at Fusion Fest in London on 14 April.
UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) awarded the £70 million contract covering the period up to March 2029 after Tokamak Energy was identified as the leading UK-based manufacturing expert with the specialist capabilities to deliver the work.
Under the agreement, Tokamak Energy will act as systems partner delivering eight work packages for magnets, working closely with UKFE’s integrated programme team across key areas including magnets, tokamak systems and plasma integration. Delivery will be led through TE Magnetics, Tokamak Energy’s high temperature superconducting (HTS) technologies division, which brings dedicated design, manufacturing and test capability for advanced HTS magnet systems.
Tokamak Energy is a world leader in HTS magnet systems, demonstrating magnetic field strengths and system level performance that support the UK’s ambition to lead in next generation fusion magnet technology.
The contract also provides continued use of the company’s record-breaking ST40, a compact, high field spherical tokamak that recently delivered record levels of plasma current and energy performance.
Warrick Matthews, Tokamak Energy CEO, said: “Confirming our position in the UK’s world-leading fusion programme is a proud day for Tokamak Energy. HTS magnets are a transformative technology essential for delivering energy-producing fusion devices like STEP and unlocking new levels of performance in other sectors.
“Our expertise and experience include operating two of the most advanced fusion machines of today and will be invaluable as we scale up in partnership towards a low carbon, secure energy future.”
Tokamak Energy and UKFE bring together decades of developed expertise in high field magnet systems and spherical tokamak operations. They form a combined capability to deliver STEP Fusion at pace, accelerate learning cycles and help reduce risk in the early cycle of the wider STEP programme. With Tokamak Energy being the UK’s only manufacturer with this specialist HTS and high field expertise, this contract secures essential domestic capability.
Dan Bishop, Chief Commercial Officer at UKFE, said: “This partnership is about delivering together. Tokamak Energy brings the complementary skills, facilities and experience to move at pace. Our mission to deliver the STEP programme objectives is enhanced by this partnership.”
The STEP programme has recently moved from concept into delivery, following completion of its design concept phase and Government approval to progress towards whole plant development in West Burton, Nottinghamshire.
Tokamak Energy brings a unique combination of operational fusion hardware, magnet manufacturing capability and UK- based high field experimental infrastructure.
Its Demo4 HTS magnet system demonstrated world first performance for a full tokamak configured HTS system. Demo4 achieved 11.8 Tesla at cryogenic temperatures with seven million ampere turns, successfully reproducing fusion relevant magnetic environments at system level – an important milestone for future power plant scale magnets.
Tokamak Energy’s 2025 acquisition of Leicester-based Ridgway Machines accelerates its ability to deliver high-quality HTS products at scale and provides end-to-end capability. Ridgway Machines brings decades of experience in manufacturing cable insulation and winding machinery across multiple industries. It is the leading provider of bespoke equipment for superconducting magnets and cable production.
Under the proposed contract, UKFE will leverage Tokamak Energy’s magnet and plasma infrastructure to support rapid engineering iteration. ST40 and associated HTS magnet platforms allow direct testing of magnetic configuration, coil forces, plasma stability, and quench behaviour under realistic conditions, accelerating validation cycles ahead of STEP’s later design phases.
Why this contract matters
- Combines complementary expertise
UKFE leads the delivery of STEP at whole plant scale, while Tokamak Energy brings decades of private sector innovation in high field magnets and spherical tokamaks. Together they create a delivery capability neither could achieve alone, especially at required programme pace. - Provides direct access to operational high field testbeds
ST40 and Demo4 allow live testing of plasma scenarios, magnetic geometries and integrated coil loads which are significantly faster and more informative than simulation only approaches. - Reduces risk in advanced magnet development
Fusion requires exceptionally strong, stable magnetic fields. Early validation of cooling systems, structural integrity, quench behaviour and multi‑coil interactions reduces risk in one of the most challenging areas of STEP’s design. - Accelerates STEP programme milestones
The partnership enables rapid prototyping, earlier technology verification and a smoother transition from concept into full engineering design. - Strengthens UK sovereign capability
Tokamak Energy is the UK’s only specialist manufacturer of high field HTS magnet technology, securing critical domestic capability and reducing dependence on global supply chains.





















