On Thursday 1 May, Jamie McGrigor, Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP, hosted a historic event in the Scottish Parliament, when a briefing on fusion power research took place.
Professor Steve Cowley FRS, CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and Mr David Baird, vice president of Jacobs Ltd., briefed MSPs on the progress made in fusion research, spearheaded by the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in Oxfordshire, and the potential for British and Scottish businesses to be part of the fusion project.
Professor Cowley discussed the importance and potential of nuclear fusion as an inherently safe, efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective way of producing energy. He reiterated the goal of having a demonstration reactor of commercial importance in the mid-2040s, but also highlighted the importance of continuous funding and public awareness of the project. David Baird followed on, explaining the benefits that the ITER project, currently under development at Cadarache, near Aix-en-Provence in Southern France, can have for British and Scottish businesses.
Commenting afterwards, Jamie said:
“I am extremely grateful to both Professor Cowley and David Baird for taking time off their busy schedules to brief the Scottish Parliament on this extremely important issue that far too often is being kept in the shadows of politics. This was a historic event, as this was the first time nuclear fusion was discussed in depth in the Scottish Parliament.
“Nuclear fusion is an interesting and promising way of securing our future energy needs in a safe and clean manner, however I am concerned over the lack of funding that is being expressed by many experts in the field.
“I am very interested in the suggestion that Dounreay would be a suitable location for a demonstration fusion reactor in a couple of decades, building on the proud tradition of nuclear research and expertise in Dounreay. This is something that is worth investigating further, and I hope that the Scottish Government is aware of the possible gains that can be made from a project of this magnitude”.
Following the event, Jamie lodged a motion in support of the event:-
Motion S4M-09922: Jamie McGrigor, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 02/05/2014
Nuclear Fusion Briefing Event in the Parliament
"That the Parliament notes what it believes was the first in-depth discussion on nuclear fusion to take place in the parliamentary complex when a briefing event was held on 1 May 2014; notes that there were presentations from Professor Steve Cowley from the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy and the vice-president of Jacobs Ltd, David Baird; congratulates Professor Cowley on his recent appointment as a Fellow of the Royal Society; commends what it sees as the Centre's world-class research efforts; understands the importance of such research and hopes that there is further discussion and debate, and considers that fusion research has potential for businesses and communities".