NIPA has welcomed the publication of the draft National Policy Statement (EN‑8) for fusion energy generation and supports the creation of a dedicated planning framework for fusion technology. We believe fusion can play an important role in delivering low-carbon, secure, and reliable energy while supporting economic growth, skills development and innovation.

Our consultation response submitted on 17^th August 2026 supports the direction of travel but identifies several areas where the final EN‑8 should be strengthened:

• Make EN‑8 genuinely fusion-specific by clearly reflecting how fusion differs from nuclear fission, including its safety profile, waste characteristics, regulatory framework and deployment pathway.

• Clarify the relationship between EN‑8 and EN‑1, ensuring applicants and decision-makers can clearly distinguish between generic energy policy requirements and fusion-specific considerations.

• Avoid unnecessary duplication with specialist regulatory regimes, ensuring that safety, environmental permitting, licensing, operational controls and decommissioning matters are addressed by the appropriate expert regulators rather than re-examined through the planning process.

• Promote proportionate, evidence-led decision making, ensuring assessments are based on objective evidence and expert advice rather than unsupported assumptions about emerging technologies.

• Support innovation and future flexibility through a technology-neutral approach that can accommodate evolving fusion technologies without frequent policy revision.

• Strengthen recognition of critical supporting infrastructure, including grid connections, water resources, cooling requirements, transport, digital connectivity and associated development needed to enable successful deployment.

• Future-proof the NPS by recognising evolving environmental frameworks, including updated HRA guidance, Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs), Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs), the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF), Biodiversity Net Gain and other emerging reforms.

• Improve clarity on the interaction between DCOs and other regulatory approvals, ensuring that permitting and licensing processes can occur at the appropriate stage without creating unnecessary constraints on design flexibility or the effective use of the Rochdale Envelope.

• Include a Biodiversity Net Gain Statement, consistent with other National Policy Statements and wider Government environmental policy.

• Ensure planning authorities, Examining Authorities, regulators and consultees have the skills, expertise and resources required to assess fusion proposals efficiently and consistently.

Overall, NIPA supports the introduction of a dedicated fusion NPS and believes that, with these refinements, EN‑8 can provide a robust, future-proofed and deliverable framework that supports investment, innovation and the timely deployment of fusion energy infrastructure in support of the UK’s energy security, decarbonisation and economic growth ambitions.

NIPA’s full response can be found here: NIPA response to consultation on EN8 Fusion Energy

Our sincere thanks to the NIPA members who collaborated to draft the response: Catherine Anderson (WSP), Jan Bessell (Pinsent Masons), Dan Smyth (Savills), Kevin Gibbs (Charles Russell Speechlys LLP), Sophie Maloney (Pershing) and Anna Budge (National Trust), chaired by Peta Donkin (Arcadis).