The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has renewed its four-year Embedded Engineering Resource Framework, valued at up to £9m ($12m), with seven companies.
The renewal follows a four-year partnership in which engineers from seven specialised companies were supplied to UKAEA to support its mission to deliver fusion energy.
Their collaborative effort not only facilitates the embedding and upskilling of engineers but also fosters opportunities for participating companies to work together on innovative fusion projects.
Crucially, it encourages these firms to introduce their supply chains into the mix, thereby expanding the overall fusion ecosystem.
UKAEA engineering frameworks contract project manager Gary Stables stated: “Embedding engineers within UKAEA is a win-win. The embedded engineers help to progress key fusion projects, while gaining valuable skills and experience in fusion. Boosting fusion expertise across the engineering sector is vital for the development of fusion energy and maximising the benefits to industry.
“Following the success of the first Embedded Engineering Resource Framework, UKAEA will be renewing it for another four years. Now with increased capacity to access technical expertise from selected industrial partners, the Framework will help accelerate the commercialisation of fusion energy.”
Expertise drawn from across multiple disciplines — mechanical, process, electrical control and instrumentation engineering, engineering analysis and code development, materials engineering and systems engineering — is central to advancing UKAEA's mission.
The continuation of this partnership follows a successful initial four-year period during which more than 80 engineers were integrated into pivotal programme areas.
These areas were Joint European Torus decommissioning and repurposing (JDR), remote applications in challenging environments (RACE), mega amp spherical tokamak (MAST) upgrade, spherical tokamak for energy production (STEP), fusion technology (FT), and materials research facility (MRF).
Companies involved in this renewed commitment include Amentum Clean Energy, AtkinsRėalis, BakerHicks, Demcon Multiphysics and Oxford Sigma. These entities bring a wealth of knowledge spanning critical areas necessary for pushing forward nuclear fusion technology.
M5tec mechanical engineer Dean McGarragel stated: “Working on this project has furthered my knowledge of fusion technologies, particularly the materials required in a fusion environment and their properties.
“I also gained insight into modern UK additive manufacturing, the material deposition technology sector, and the capabilities and constraints associated with these technologies. Working with a team of engineers, embedded within UKAEA, from a range of companies and backgrounds, was an inspiring example of cross-collaboration to advance fusion energy and position the UK as a global leader in the industry.”
In January 2025, the UKAEA announced a £200m ($244m) investment in the Lithium Breeding Tritium Innovation (LIBRTI) programme.
LIBRTI is an integral component of the wider Fusion Futures project, focused on fostering innovations in fusion fuel and bolstering industry capabilities through international collaboration.
