Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE) is the UK’s national laboratory for fusion research. CCFE (formerly known as UKAEA Culham) is based at Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire, and is owned and operated by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.
The 80-hectare site just south of Oxford was previously HMS Hornbill, a Fleet Air Arm airfield. Its conversion to a purpose-built fusion laboratory began in 1960 and was completed in 1965. Since then, Culham has made many major contributions to international fusion research and development. Today the UK fusion programme is centred on the innovative MAST (Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak) experiment and employs around 150 people. The programme is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the European Union under the EURATOM treaty.
In addition, CCFE hosts the world’s largest magnetic fusion experiment, JET (Joint European Torus), on behalf of its European partners. The JET facilities are collectively used by European fusion scientists, co-ordinated by a programme management unit at Culham. JET is situated next to the UK fusion laboratory. Around 500 people are employed at the JET facilities, with around 350 European scientists visiting each year to conduct research, and many from outside Europe.
The Culham Science Centre site is also an attractive location for hi-tech businesses. It houses accommodation for a diverse range of science and technology tenants, including an Innovation Centre for start-up companies. More information on commercial property at Culham is available at http://www.culham.org.uk/.