UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS) has announced the shortlisted organisations competing to become Engineering Partner and Construction Partner for STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), the UK’s programme to design and build a prototype fusion energy plant at West Burton in Nottinghamshire.
STEP will be delivered by a public-private sector integrated team consisting of UKIFS, the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) as fusion partner and the engineering and construction (E&C) partners. These key long-term and strategic partnerships will play a central role in growing a UK-led fusion industry that will stimulate economic growth.
The STEP programme, led by UKIFS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UKAEA Group, aims to demonstrate net energy from fusion alongside fuel self-sufficiency and a route to plant maintenance. This is intended to pave the way for the commercialisation of fusion as a near-limitless energy source.
The contracts for STEP’s E&C partners will be worth an initial combined value of hundreds of millions of pounds during the first contract period until 2029. Further phases will continue the long-term collaboration that builds progressively with the programme.
The shortlisted organisations for STEP’s Engineering Partner are:
- Celestial JV, consisting of Eni UK Limited as the lead member and AtkinsRealis, Jacobs Clean Energy (now Amentum), Westinghouse and Tokamak Energy as other members.
- Phoenix (UK) Fusion Limited, consisting of Cavendish Nuclear Ltd as the lead member, KBR Ltd and Assystem Energy and Infrastructure Ltd as other members.
The shortlisted organisations for STEP’s Construction Partner are:
- Inovus Infrastructure, consisting of Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering as the lead member and Vinci Construction, AtkinsRealis, Mott Macdonald and WSP as other members.
- ILIOS, consisting of Kier Infrastructure and Overseas as the lead member and Bam Nuttal, Nuvia Limited, AECOM Ltd, Turner and Townsend Infrastructure Ltd and Amanda Levete Architects Ltd as other members.
- Ferrovial Mace JV, consisting of Ferrovial Construction UK Ltd as the lead member and Mace Consult Ltd as the other member.
A crucial part of STEP’s mission is to develop a world-leading fusion supply chain to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of a new technology and emerging industry. Paul Methven, CEO of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions and Senior Responsible Owner for STEP, said the announcement of shortlisted organisations for STEP’s Whole Plant Partners “is a critical milestone for our mission to demonstrate fusion energy and development of a world-leading fusion supply chain that unlocks significant industrial and economic opportunities”.
He added: “Together, we aim to lead the development of a fusion energy sector that will help meet rising global energy demand as well as deliver near-term benefits for industry and for the communities that will help build STEP.
The shortlisted companies will now enter detailed discussions known as ‘competitive dialogue’ with UKIFS as the multi-stage procurement process progresses towards final partner selection in late 2025/early 2026. According to UKIFS, a vast range of other opportunities for the broader supply chain will follow the appointment of these strategic partners.
