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UK Industrial Fusion Solutions,Ìýsoon to be known as UK Fusion Energy will appointÌýILIOSÌýas the construction partnerÌýfor the STEP Fusion programme. The contract, valued at £200 million, is a major milestone in transforming the West Burton site into the UK’sÌýworld-leadingÌýprototype fusion energy plant.Ìý

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.ÌýÌý

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.ÌýÌý

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,Ìýsafety-criticalÌýengineering 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:ÌýÌý

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 bringsÌýextensiveÌýexperience 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.Ìý

An innovative and transformative chapterÌý

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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 theÌýSTEP 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 partnerÌý

As the appointed Construction Partner, ILIOS willÌýbe responsible forÌýevery aspect of construction at the West Burton site, including:Ìý

• acting as principal design and build contractorÌý
• delivering all construction work under STEP leadershipÌý
• managing all early enabling worksÌý
• coordinating design integration, civil engineering,ÌýbuildingsÌýand site infrastructureÌý
• overseeing supply chains,ÌýlogisticsÌýand sequencingÌý
• meeting all safety,ÌýsustainabilityÌýand quality requirementsÌý
• providing continuity and capability across a build programme leading to planned operation in 2040ÌýÌý

Local benefitsÌý

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 isÌýanticipatedÌýto support up to 8,000 onsite jobs, creating new opportunities for local workers,ÌýapprenticesÌýand businesses, and anchoringÌýlong-termÌýeconomic growth in the region.ÌýÌý

Renaming forÌýthe future of fusion,ÌýPaul 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 aÌýclear mission, real momentum and a growing responsibility to deliver.Ìý

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:

• KierÌý– major UK transport and energy infrastructure, construction and developments delivery
• NuviaÌý– decades of safety‑critical engineering experience
• AECOMÌý– global leader in complex scientific, defence and energy facilities
• AL_A Architects– internationally recognised architects specialising in cutting‑edge science and innovation environments
• Turner & TownsendÌý– programme, cost and risk management for flagship infrastructure portfolios