A consortium of fusion experts, led by SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins and energy transition specialists Assystem, has been appointed by UK Atomic Energy Authority as Engineering Delivery Partner to its pioneering Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production programme as it seeks to demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion energy.The delivery partner will play a critical role in STEP’s ambitions to design and build a commercial-scale prototype fusion energy plant by 2040 over the next two years: completing a concept design is one of two key Tranche 1 objectives to achieve by 2024 that will enable UKAEA to proceed to future phases and meet its ambitious targets. Fusion technology has the potential to provide abundant, low-carbon energy – maintaining the UK’s net zero efforts in the long-term and underpinning future energy security.The consortium is led by Atkins as prime contractor, alongside international engineering and digital services firm Assystem. Atkins and Assystem have a long history of successful collaboration across nuclear and fusion energy projects, including their work as architect-engineer for the international fusion energy project ITER, through the Engage consortium. The STEP EDP consortium combines this world-leading expertise with specialist knowledge from partners across the supply chain: fusion In-Vessel Component materials technology and safety specialist Oxford Sigma; In Vessel Components and tritium specialists Kyoto Fusioneering; and Ansaldo Nuclear. Combined, the consortium will bring over 30 years’ experience in fusion delivery from across JET, ITER, STEP and DEMO.
A consortium of fusion experts, led by SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins and energy transition specialists Assystem, has been appointed by UK Atomic Energy Authority as Engineering Delivery Partner to its pioneering Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production programme as it seeks to demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion energy.The delivery partner will play a critical role in STEP’s ambitions to design and build a commercial-scale prototype fusion energy plant by 2040 over the next two years: completing a concept design is one of two key Tranche 1 objectives to achieve by 2024 that will enable UKAEA to proceed to future phases and meet its ambitious targets. Fusion technology has the potential to provide abundant, low-carbon energy – maintaining the UK’s net zero efforts in the long-term and underpinning future energy security.The consortium is led by Atkins as prime contractor, alongside international engineering and digital services firm Assystem. Atkins and Assystem have a long history of successful collaboration across nuclear and fusion energy projects, including their work as architect-engineer for the international fusion energy project ITER, through the Engage consortium. The STEP EDP consortium combines this world-leading expertise with specialist knowledge from partners across the supply chain: fusion In-Vessel Component materials technology and safety specialist Oxford Sigma; In Vessel Components and tritium specialists Kyoto Fusioneering; and Ansaldo Nuclear. Combined, the consortium will bring over 30 years’ experience in fusion delivery from across JET, ITER, STEP and DEMO.
