It should not come as an exaggeration, but fusion energy is indeed a step closer in the U.K., at least.
In a recent move, the government has gone on to announce that it would go ahead and create a National Policy Statement so as to help clear the way when it comes to fusion energy projects in the UK. This step goes on to make the U.K. the very first country that has developed planning rules especially for fusion energy.
As per World Nuclear News, the new policy required any sort of fusion energy projects in the UK in order to submit an application so as to begin work.
But there was no formal guidance pertaining to which sites were ideal or perfect, nor were there any kind of prescribed timelines in terms of approval. All this meant that the applications could take quite a while so as to be approved, which thereby further delayed development of fusion technology.
Due to the National Policy Statement, the government would go ahead and come up with fusion energy within the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project system. By doing so, the government would be enabled to treat projects that involve fusion energy in the same order as any other clean energy projects, like solar or, for that matter, wind energy.
The National Policy Statement introduction is going to offer much clarity to the developers and at the same time also streamline the planning process when it comes to fusion, thereby giving the applicants much clearer guidance on where and how quickly projects can get developed, remarked the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
It is indeed exciting news, as fusion energy is now seen as a way to solve many of the energy problems that persist across the world.
It is well to be noted that fusion energy is created when two light atoms combine, hence forming a heavier atom, that could theoretically offer an unlimited source of clean energy.
Due to this abundant clean energy source, individuals and businesses, as well as cities, could see a major reduction when it comes to energy bills by way of saving money while at the same time also using resources in a more efficient way.
Apparently, this kind of clean energy might even ensure that people get enough access to clean water to drink and also food to eat, as it makes it less expensive for the governments as well as farmers to make use of technologies such as water desalination or even vertical farming.
Due to more diversified clean energy sources, the world could stop its dependence on dirty energy sources, which are pretty much responsible for heat-trapping gases within the atmosphere that raise global temperatures. The result could as well be a cooler planet and also cleaner water and air, along with health issues in communities that are very much reduced.
Ed Miliband, the UK Energy Secretary, said in a statement that the future when it comes to fusion energy begins now and that they are ensuring the clean energy of the future is built in Britain, thereby supporting the creation of very highly skilled jobs and at the same time driving growth into the industrial heartlands as part of the Plan for Change.
