Start-up companies at Oxfordshire's latest Innovation Centre could benefit from skills and technology being used to crack one of the world's major engineering challenges.

Oxford Innovation has teamed up with the UK Atomic Energy Authority to launch Culham Science Centre, which was officially opened yesterday by David Potter, founder of computer company Psion.

The organisers hope to attract 25 new companies to benefit from the skills and technologies used in fusion research.

The UKAEA has taken over the running of the JET fusion research project from the EC, which is now debating how to fund the next stage of building a prototype fusion power station to generate electricity. Fusion is the process that powers the sun and enthusiasts say it could be the clean, cheap power source to meet future energy needs. However, Green campaigners say it has many of the drawbacks of fission power.

Designing a fusion power plant capable of holding the high-temperature plasma formed during fusion is a big engineering challenge.

UKAEA Fusion and Industry manager Cleve Forty said: "Start-up engineering companies will be in good company at the Innovation Centre. They are entering a community where three key ingredients needed to turn a bright idea into a commercially sound business are in plentiful supply a determination to succeed, a commitment to innovate and most important a culture where problem-solving is second nature."

Companies interested in the technical support package can contact Mr Forty on 01235 463534.