Case Study: STEP Fusion

The project:

STEP Fusion is the UK Government’s major technology and infrastructure programme to build a prototype fusion powerplant by 2040.  

It will pave the way for the commercialisation of fusion energy through design and construction of a prototype fusion energy powerplant that will demonstrate net energy. 

Client:  UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS)  

Saranne, far left, with the STEP team

Our role:

Saranne has been involved with the programme since the end of 2019, originally working directly as a contractor on the project as Head of Communications, before C3 was a twinkle in the eye 😊. 

Back then, the whole STEP team was about 30 people and Saranne’s role involved building the communications function from scratch, establishing a team, designing its internal and external communications systems and processes, developing a brand identity and building the profile of the programme among key stakeholders.  

Saranne was a key member of the site selection team, leading a successful stakeholder and community engagement campaign in a major milestone for this ground-breaking project.  

Pippa has been involved since 2022, working with Saranne on the siting announcement activities and leading an extensive communications campaign to attract commercial partners to deliver this multi-million-pound engineering and construction project. This involved a series of live webinars with senior members of the STEP team and an in-person event, which included an informal dialogue process for over 100 people. 

Having had some time away, Saranne and Pippa are delighted to be back on the project as part of the team, with Saranne supporting a transformational change programme and Pippa leading on the design of the consultation plan and coordination of the Development Consent Order process. 

Services provided: 

• Site selection 

• Brand development 

• Strategic communications 

• Internal communications and engagement 

• Stakeholder and community engagement 

• Commercial marketing 

• Consultation design 

• DCO  

Challenges 

Moving from an academic concept to a fully functioning commercial operation is a huge evolution and can, at times, be chaotic. C3 thrives on building a communications approach from scratch, creating order and delivering engagement with real heart. 

This was particularly demonstrated in the successful siting campaign and how this was supported by the community and stakeholders in West Burton. A significant achievement for a project delivering new technology of national significance. 

Of course, engagement doesn’t stop there, and relationships need to be maintained with open, honest communication throughout the development and construction periods, particularly on projects like this which take years to come to fruition. 

Our approach is always to be proactive in our engagement, managing expectations and keeping communities updated even when there might be little new to say. Keeping this drumbeat of engagement helps to build and maintain relationships with communities and stakeholders, providing opportunities to answer questions and address concerns as they arise.  

Engaging potential commercial partners was a fascinating challenge for the C3 team. The programme needed to build excitement among multinational companies to encourage them to bid for multi-million contracts. That meant designing a strategy and executing a plan that was new and interesting to work effectively with these stakeholders. The results of this engagement are being demonstrated now as the programme works through a formal process of ‘competitive dialogue’ with the consortia of companies who want to work with the STEP team.   

“The successful site selection, announcement and ongoing engagement around West Burton – the future home of the STEP programme - is probably the most important thing I’ve done in my career to date.  

“It gave me a broad and deep insight into both site selection processes and stakeholder engagement at all levels, up to and including the Prime Minister.

“I’m incredibly proud of everything Pippa and I have done in support of STEP and, as it was also where the idea for C3 was born, the programme will always have a special place in our hearts.” Saranne  Postans, Co-Founder C3 Communications