Open consultation

Draft National Policy Statement for fusion energy generation (EN-8): consultation document (accessible webpage)

Published 8 June 2026

Applies to England and Wales

General information

Why we are consulting

In July 2025 the government published its response to an initial consultation on the proposed approach to siting fusion energy facilities.^{[footnote 1]} This response confirmed that the planning process for fusion energy facilities should be aligned and maintained with other complex generation facilities by developing a National Policy Statement for fusion energy generation.

The government is now consulting on a draft National Policy Statement for Fusion Energy Generation (EN‑8).

This consultation does not revisit earlier questions about whether a fusion‑specific NPS is required, whether it should be technology-agnostic or whether it should take an open-sited approach. Instead, it focuses on the specific content of the draft EN‑8 and other documents published alongside.

Consultation details

Issued:  8 June 2026

Respond by: 17 August 2026

Enquiries to: fusionregulation@energysecurity.gov.uk

Please do not send consultation responses to this email address, see below on how to respond.

Consultation reference: Consultation on the draft National Policy Statement for fusion energy generation (EN-8)

Audiences:

The government wants to hear from members of the public, industry, academia, non-governmental organisations and any other organisation or public body.

Territorial extent:

This consultation relates to the exercise of powers in England and Wales. The Planning Act 2008 and system of Nationally Significant Infrastructure consenting do not apply to Scotland or Northern Ireland.

How to respond

We are inviting responses to this Consultation via the online e-consultation platform, Citizen Space.

In this Consultation, the government wants to hear from members of the public, industry, non-governmental organisations and any other organisation or public body. When responding, please state whether you are responding as an individual or representing the views of an organisation. If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, please make it clear who the organisation represents and, where applicable, how you assembled the views of members.

Your response will be most useful if it is framed in direct response to the questions posed, though further comments and evidence are also welcome. When considering responses to this consultation, the government will give greater weight to responses that are based on argument and evidence, rather than simple expressions of support or opposition.

Consultations receive a high-level of interest across many sectors. Using the online service greatly assists our analysis of the responses, enabling more efficient and effective consideration of the issues raised. Therefore, we strongly encourage responses via Citizen Space.

Respond online

If you are unable to use Citizen Space, please get in touch with us via email or post to discuss alternative response methods:

Email to: fusionregulation@energysecurity.gov.uk

Write to:

Fusion regulation
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
3 – 8 Whitehall Place
London
SW1A 2EG

Confidentiality and data protection

Information you provide in response to this consultation, including personal information, may be disclosed in accordance with UK legislation (the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004).

If you want the information that you provide to be treated as confidential please tell us, but be aware that we cannot guarantee confidentiality in all circumstances. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not be regarded by us as a confidentiality request.

We will process your personal data in accordance with all applicable data protection laws. See our privacy policy.

We will summarise all responses and publish this summary on GOV.UK. The summary will include a list of names or organisations that responded, but not people’s personal names, addresses or other contact details.

Quality assurance

This consultation has been carried out in accordance with the government’s consultation principles.

If you have any complaints about the way this consultation has been conducted, please email: bru@energysecurity.gov.uk.

Introduction

Background

A National Policy Statement (NPS) is a statutory document designated under the Planning Act 2008 which sets out the government’s policy for decisions on applications for development consent for major infrastructure projects, known as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

The Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN‑1) sets out the government’s energy infrastructure policy, including the need case for new low‑carbon energy infrastructure and the Critical National Priority afforded to such infrastructure.^{[footnote 2]} Technology-specific NPSs, such as draft EN‑8, sit within this suite and provide additional, targeted policy to address the specific characteristics of particular types of energy infrastructure where this is necessary to support consistent and proportionate decision‑making.

The government has identified the development of fusion energy as a strategic priority, reflected in the UK’s 2025 Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, which highlighted fusion as a priority sub-sector.^{[footnote 3]} The 2026 UK Fusion Strategy goes further to set out the government’s objective to accelerate growth of the UK fusion industry to capture the economic and strategic benefits of fusion.^{[footnote 4]} This builds on the government’s record investment of over £2.5 billion in fusion research and development, including £1.3 billion to develop the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion power plant.^{[footnote 5]} As the fusion sector moves from research and development towards demonstration and deployment, it is expected that fusion energy infrastructure proposals will come forward within the planning system.

In July 2025 government responded to a consultation on proposals for a new National Policy Statement for fusion energy generation, alongside proposals on the approach to siting fusion energy facilities.^{[footnote 6]} This response confirmed strong support for the development of a fusion-specific NPS, and that such an NPS should not identify specific sites for fusion energy infrastructure. It also confirmed that a fusion NPS should be technology agnostic (apply to fusion infrastructure regardless of the specific fusion approach or device design proposed) and output agnostic (recognising that future fusion energy infrastructure may generate thermal energy as well / instead of electrical), to maximise flexibility for developers and responsiveness to innovation in fusion design. Additionally, it confirmed that no local population density restrictions would apply to fusion energy infrastructure, reflecting its low radiological risk.^{[footnote 7]} Draft EN‑8 has been developed in response to that consultation outcome.

What is being published for consultation?

This consultation is seeking views on the draft National Policy Statement for Fusion Energy Generation (EN‑8), and relevant environmental assessments that meet statutory requirements.

Draft National Policy Statement (NPS) for fusion energy generation (EN-8)

Draft EN‑8 sets out government’s policy for the assessment and determination of applications for development consent for nationally significant fusion energy infrastructure. It forms part of the wider suite of energy National Policy Statements and should be read in conjunction with EN-1 and other relevant National Policy Statements, such as EN-5 which concerns electricity networks infrastructure.^{[footnote 8]}

The need for nineteen considerations in draft EN-8, grouped into Environmental, Safety & Security, Operational and Developmental themes, was confirmed in the government’s July 2025 consultation response.^{[footnote 9]} Some of the titles of these considerations have since been amended to better reflect the content that is now proposed. For these nineteen fusion-specific considerations, draft EN-8 explains how the generic assessment principles or impacts set out in EN-1 should be applied and where additional or different approaches should be taken.

Appraisal of Sustainability (AoS)

The Appraisal of Sustainability (AoS) assesses the likely significant environmental, social and economic effects of implementing draft EN‑8, as required under the Planning Act 2008 and the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004. It considers the whole lifecycle of fusion energy infrastructure and assesses the likely effects of draft EN‑8 against a set of sustainability objectives, taking account of mitigation measures. The AoS also, as required, assesses reasonable alternatives to the approach set out in draft EN-8.

Non‑Technical Summary of the Appraisal of Sustainability

A Non‑Technical Summary of the AoS is published alongside the full assessment. It provides an accessible overview of the methodology, key findings and conclusions of the AoS for non‑technical audiences.

Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)

The Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) has been undertaken in accordance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. It assesses whether the implementation of draft EN‑8 is likely to have significant effects on the integrity of habitats sites.

Consultation questions

Part A: Scope and clarity

The following question seeks views on whether draft EN‑8 provides a clear, coherent and appropriate planning framework for fusion energy infrastructure when read alongside EN-1 and other relevant National Policy Statements (such as EN-5 which concerns electricity networks infrastructure).

1. Does draft EN-8, when read alongside EN-1 (and other relevant National Policy Statements), provide a clear, coherent and appropriate planning framework for fusion energy infrastructure?

Response options:

• Yes
• Partially
• No
• Not sure

Please explain your answer, focusing on the overall clarity, coherence and appropriateness of the framework. Detailed feedback on specific sections of draft EN-8 should be provided in response to subsequent questions.

Part B: Role, scope and assessment principles

Sections 1 and 2 of draft EN‑8 set out the background, the role and the scope of the National Policy Statement, and the assessment principles that apply to fusion energy infrastructure.

2. Do Sections 1 and 2 of draft EN-8 provide sufficient clarity on the role, scope and assessment principles of the fusion energy National Policy Statement?

Response options:

• Yes
• Partially
• No
• Not sure

If you chose ‘No’ or ‘Partially’, please explain what changes would be beneficial, referencing specific sections where possible.

Part C: Assessment considerations

The following question seeks views on the fusion‑specific assessment considerations set out in Section 3 of draft EN‑8. Draft EN‑8 is designed to apply to all fusion energy infrastructure, i.e., it is designed to be technology and output-agnostic.

3. Are the approaches set out for each consideration adequate and appropriate for all fusion energy infrastructure, making clear what, if anything, is required beyond the requirements of EN-1?

Response options:

• Yes
• Partially
• No
• Not sure

If you chose ‘No’ or ‘Partially’, please provide details, identifying any considerations where the approach may be inadequate or inappropriate and what changes you would suggest.

Part D: Environmental assessments

The following question seeks views on the conclusions of the Appraisal of Sustainability and Habitats Regulations Assessment undertaken for draft EN‑8. These assessments have been carried out at National Policy Statement level and do not assess specific sites or projects. Respondents are therefore invited to consider whether the assessments are reasonable and appropriate for a plan‑level policy document, rather than commenting on the likely impacts of individual fusion energy projects.

4. Are the environmental assessments (Appraisal of Sustainability and Habitats Regulations Assessment) for draft EN-8 reasonable and appropriate?

Response options:

• Yes
• Partially
• No
• Not sure

If you chose ‘No’ or ‘Partially’, please provide details, referencing the specific section(s) you are referring to in your response.

Part E: Further comments

5. Do you have any other comments on draft EN-8?

Response options:

• Yes
• No

If you chose ‘Yes’, please provide further comments, referencing specific section(s) where relevant.

Next steps

Timeline	Stage
Summer 2026	Public consultation.
Autumn 2026	Analysing consultation responses. Parliamentary scrutiny.
Winter 2026	Incorporate feedback from public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny into draft EN-8.
Spring 2027	Lay final EN-8 before parliament for formal consideration. Publish government response to public consultation. EN-8 is designated (comes into force). Publish Post-Adoption AoS.

1. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, ‘Fusion energy facilities: new National Policy Statement and proposals on siting’ (July 2025) ↩

2. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, ‘Overarching National Policy Statement for energy (EN-1), 2025’ (January 2026) ↩

3. UK Government, ‘Industrial Strategy: Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan’ (June 2025) ↩

4. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, ‘A new energy revolution: The UK’s plan for delivering fusion energy’ (March 2026) ↩

5. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, ‘Funding breakdown for fusion energy’ (March 2026) ↩

6. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, ‘Fusion energy facilities: new National Policy Statement and proposals on siting’ (July 2025) ↩

7. UK Atomic Energy Authority, ‘Technology Report – Safety and Waste Aspects of Fusion Power Plants’  Issue 1, page 31 (September 2021) ↩

8. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, ‘National Policy Statements for energy infrastructure’ (January 2026) ↩

9. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, ‘Fusion energy facilities: new National Policy Statement and proposals on siting’ (July 2025) ↩