UK-based First Light Fusion has entered a long-term collaboration agreement with Spain’s IDOM, one of the world’s largest engineering firms, to develop engineering plans for a critical part of its pilot nuclear power plant.

The Oxford company, which was spun out from the University of Oxford in 2011, said the agreement marks a significant step in its plans to deliver commercial fusion by the 2040s.

First Light will be working with IDOM’s UK division on the design of a fusion reactor chamber, as part of its plans to design and build a pilot fusion energy power plant, based on its unique target and projectile technology.