UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, soon to be known as UK Fusion Energy will appoint ILIOS as the construction partner for the STEP Fusion programme. The contract, valued at £200 million, is a major milestone in transforming the West Burton site into the UK’s world-leading prototype fusion energy plant.
The announcement follows the publication of the government’s new fusion strategy from DESNZ, setting the direction for the UK’s long-term approach to developing and delivering fusion energy. ILIOS is a consortium led by a joint venture between Kier and Nuvia, and supported by AECOM, AL_A Architects and Turner & Townsend.
This appointment comes as UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd, soon to be known as UK Fusion Energy Ltd, enters the next phase of delivery for the STEP programme. The name change reflects the organisation’s growing focus on delivering the prototype fusion plant at West Burton and its ambition to lead the industrial team that will design and build future commercial fusion facilities.
Paul Methven, CEO of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) and Responsible Officer for STEP Fusion, said:
The appointment of ILIOS as our construction partner marks a significant milestone for the STEP programme. Their combined experience in major infrastructure, safety-critical engineering and complex site transformation gives us real confidence as we move from planning into delivery. This partnership will help ensure that West Burton becomes a leading centre of fusion innovation and a cornerstone of the UK’s future clean energy landscape.
Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear said:
We can be proud that Britain will lead the way on research, innovation and skills for a future of limitless fusion energy.
By backing our fusion industry, we are not only securing our future energy independence, but from innovation and research to engineers, we are also providing the skilled clean energy jobs of the future for British people.
Building confidence
Although the STEP programme is unique, the ILIOS consortium brings extensive experience from major national infrastructure, high hazard civil engineering, nuclear sector delivery, complex scientific and energy facilities, large programme and cost management, and world-class design for innovation environments giving STEP confidence that the team can meet the technical and delivery demands of the project.
An innovative and transformative chapter
Simon Matthews, programme director for ILIOS said:
This is a significant milestone in the UK’s transition to clean energy. Following an extensive and collaborative procurement stage, we are proud to be selected as construction partner for the STEP programme and to be part of this innovative and transformative chapter in energy supply.
Through our involvement on the STEP programme, we will help advance the UK’s future energy resilience and decarbonisation ambitions, supporting economic and regional growth, high-quality jobs and the development of a long-term, UK-based, fusion supply chain.
What ILIOS will deliver as construction partner
As the appointed Construction Partner, ILIOS will be responsible for every aspect of construction at the West Burton site, including:
- acting as principal design and build contractor
- delivering all construction work under STEP leadership
- managing all early enabling works
- coordinating design integration, civil engineering, buildings and site infrastructure
- overseeing supply chains, logistics and sequencing
- meeting all safety, sustainability and quality requirements
- providing continuity and capability across a build programme leading to planned operation in 2040
Local benefits
The appointment also brings significant benefits for the local area, with the STEP programme expected to unlock substantial employment opportunities throughout the build. At its peak, construction at West Burton is anticipated to support up to 8,000 onsite jobs, creating new opportunities for local workers, apprentices and businesses, and anchoring long-term economic growth in the region.
Renaming for the future of fusion, Paul Methven reflects on the name change to UK Fusion Energy:
We’ve?achieved an extraordinary amount in just a year, but the most important work still lies ahead. Our new name reflects who we are becoming – an organisation with a clear mission, real?momentum?and a growing responsibility to deliver.
ILIOS Consortium partners
Although STEP is a first?of?a?kind programme, the ILIOS partners bring extensive experience in delivering complex, high?hazard and nationally significant projects:
- Kier – major UK transport and energy infrastructure, construction and developments delivery
- Nuvia – decades of safety?critical engineering experience
- AECOM – global leader in complex scientific, defence and energy facilities
- AL_A Architects– internationally recognised architects specialising in cutting?edge science and innovation environments
- Turner & Townsend – programme, cost and risk management for flagship infrastructure portfolios
