Contract awarded for world-first fusion energy research centre

Atkins – a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group – has been appointed by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to help design the world’s first centre for researching tritium for use in fusion energy.

The Hydrogen-3 Advanced Technology (H3AT) facility – which will be built at Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire – will support ongoing work at ITER, the world’s largest fusion experiment which is currently under construction in the South of France.

This activity will also allow academic and industrial users to research how to process, store and recycle tritium, one of the fuels that will supply fusion power stations.

Lee Patrick, UKAEA Client Manager, Nuclear & Power, at Atkins said: “Fusion has the potential to provide the world with a low-carbon, limitless and environmentally responsible energy source in the future.

“Recognising the complexity and scale of this project, we’ve put together a world-class team that is fully focused on playing its part in helping to recreate and harness energy based on the same principle that powers our sun and stars.”

Steve Wheeler, Director of UKAEA’s Fusion Technology business unit, said: “H3AT is a truly unique facility to support UK science and the development of fusion fuel cycle technology. Atkins will bring proven engineering design capability to the delivery group, in addition to the valuable expertise of their supply chain partners.”