Appointed to UK Atomic Energy Authority project delivery services framework
We have been appointed to provide risk management and cost engineering/estimating services to the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), supporting their research into fusion energy and related technologies, with the aim of positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy.
Our appointment covers Lot 4 and Lot 6 of the UKAEA’s project delivery services framework, running for four years from 2022 to 2026 with the option to extend for a further 12 months.
The framework is aimed at improving social and economic inequality in addition to providing a fast and flexible approach to recruitment. This will help UKAEA in its mission to make fusion energy a safe, sustainable, low-carbon energy supply of the future.
Fusion copies the processes that power the sun and stars where atoms are fused to release energy, with the potential to become a near-limitless source of energy.
Recent breakthroughs in research – including several from UKAEA – mean that nuclear fusion could soon become a commercial reality, if the remaining engineering and technological barriers can be overcome.
This would completely reshape the global energy market, creating new supply chains and increasing demand for novel construction materials and machinery. The UK is at the forefront of this emerging industry and is well-positioned to reap the benefits.
The announcement on the UKAEA framework builds on our track record of forming programme delivery strategies and overseeing performance for complex projects that are vital to our clean energy transition.
We are actively assisting a wide range of clients in this area, with notable recent wins including continuing to support Magnox with its existing decommissioning programme and its future missions, and project managing the installation of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technology at Viridor’s Energy from Waste facility in Runcorn.
David Whysall, UK Managing Director for Infrastructure, said: "The world urgently needs new clean energy solutions to reach our net-zero targets, but increasingly this also has to be balanced with considerations of energy security and resilience.
As a potential source of limitless, clean and safe energy nuclear fusion could revolutionise the power sector of the future and help meet these needs. Making this a reality will be a huge challenge and it is one in which we are proud to be playing a part, as we transform performance on this complex programme for a green, inclusive and productive world.