UK atomic agency selects engineering consortium to help deliver nuclear fusion project

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), which is that country’s agency for the development of nuclear fusion power, has selected a consortium, led by design, engineering and project management consultancy Atkins (part of Canada’s multinational SNC-Lavalin group) as prime contractor, to be its engineering delivery partner for its Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme. In this endeavour, Atkins is partnered with its frequent collaborator, France-based international engineering services group Assystem. The other members of the consortium are British company Oxford Sigma, which specialises in In-Vessel Component materials technology and safety for nuclear fusion plants, Japanese specialist In-Vessel Component and Tritium company Kyoto Fusioneering, and Ansaldo Nuclear (the UK subsidiary of the Italian Ansaldo Energia group).