Optimizing the cost of the STEP programme

The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme is a world-leading fusion power plant programme that has embedded a cost conscience in its design from the early phases. This firmly addresses the attitude of cost complacency of which many major infrastructure projects have historically been accused. While a detailed and highly accurate whole life cycle cost analysis is not possible, or even valuable, during the conceptual design stage, this early design phase is still the most critical programme phase where a focus on costs can drive longer term reductions and impact whole life cycle costs at the high level. Consequently, appropriate estimating methods for these early-stage designs and lessons learned from other industries are used to inform design decisions and ensure cost is part of the overall option analysis. Hence, while the overall programme cost estimate is too immature to be a reliable indicator for the final programme costs, significant effort has been undertaken to understand the major cost drivers and take action to make the STEP design as cost-effective as possible. This article is part of the theme issue 'Delivering Fusion Energy - The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP)'.