UK Atomic Energy Authority

Want to stay up-to-date with UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) news? Read our monthly Newsletter to find out about our recent activities and upcoming events.

Our priorities are:
🔵 Solving the challenges of sustainable fusion energy – from design through to decommissioning – with world-leading science and engineering.

🔵 Enabling partners to design, deliver, and operate commercial fusion power plants.

🔵 Driving UK economic growth and a thriving industry that exports fusion technology around the world.

🔵 Creating clusters of organisations that accelerate innovation in fusion and related technologies.

🔵 Developing the talented, diverse people needed to deliver fusion energy.

We’re at the forefront of fusion energy and its related technologies. We’re on a mission to deliver safe, sustainable, low-carbon energy from fusion, achieving maximum scientific and economic benefit along the way.

UKAEA Newsletter Edition 25 - UKAEA Newsletter edition 25 Explore UKAEA’s new strategy, industry collaborations with CERN and find out about upcoming events in UKAEA Newsletter edition 25. Published: April 2026

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is looking for two Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) who can provide strategic challenge, guidance and support to the organisation. This is a tremendous opportunity to be involved in leading a world leading research and development organisation.

For further details on this fantastic opportunity, visit https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8965

🔁 Share this post with someone you think would be interested in this opportunity.

The JET Decommissioning and Repurposing team has delivered one of the JET estate’s most complicated buildings, J4, to the LIBRTI programme.

An intense two years of planning, hard work and delivery have successfully brought the completion of JET Decommissioning and Repurposing’s (JDR) first major building clearance project. In doing so, JDR has also enabled UKAEA to proceed with developing the host building for LIBRTI, one of global fusion’s most significant research and development programmes.

The team has delivered one of the JET estate’s most complicated buildings to LIBRTI’s timescale. J4 has also been an essential lead-and-learn opportunity to develop, test and refine planning and delivery processes for subsequent building clearance projects.

The statistics tell a story all by themselves:
· >2,000 scheduled activities completed

· Nearly 0.5 million litres of oil removed from site. That’s enough to fill a 25m swimming pool, or fuel a car doing 42mpg to drive around the world 187 times

· 69 transformers removed from site. Some weighed 80 tonnes, the equivalent of 60 average UK family cars

· ~200 tonnes of copper cables, copper, brass and mixed metals sent directly from the worksite to scrap metal dealer

· A further 56 tonnes of mixed and hazardous-environmental waste removed

· >210km total cables traced, proved dead, cut and removed, including >400 deep ducts cables

· >5,000 items recorded in the building inventory

· 250+ total individuals involved

· 73,000+ UKAEA working hours

· ~150 clearances and over 1000 smear tests (batches as well as individual items)

· Isolated 84 cubicles, 79 distribution boards, 570 low and high voltage circuits, >100 ELV circuits for controls and instrumentation

Cubicle 38 (aka YNT/ECU1/0001) was in the middle of the building and at the heart of the JET estate’s network connectivity.

Connected to 15 other locations across the estate, the Cubicle 38 work package took approx. 18 months to complete. Connectivity was still required for J4, J5 and the J30 active waste compound, so in addition to a new cubicle needing to be installed elsewhere, 3km of new fibre cabling was fitted, and all network connections were updated and commissioned without losing network access.

Zac Scott, Director of JDR, said: “Cubicle 38 reflects the complexity and scale the J4 project. It is more like surgical removal of components than a conventional de-plant and demolition task. It is testament to the professionalism, expertise and hard work of the whole team that the project has been delivered successfully within tight financial and time constraints,

For more information about JDR visit www.ukaea.org/work/jet-decommissioning-and-repurposing

For more information about LIBRTI visit www.ukaea.org/work/librti

🏫 CALLING UK PRIMARY SCHOOLS - an exciting opportunity for schools to take part in a hands‑on STEM initiative designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and big thinking in young learners.

The UK Atomic Energy Authority are offering the STEMAZING Kids session Marvellous Magnetism, a one‑hour interactive workshop delivered by a trained STEM Ambassador, either in person or online via Teams.

During the session, pupils explore the fascinating world of magnetism through fun, practical activities using everyday materials. Along the way, they’ll discover how magnetism powers technologies we use today and how it plays a vital role in the future of fusion energy.

In the second half of the workshop, pupils are encouraged to think ambitiously: what would unlimited electrical energy look like, and how could we create it?

Their ideas come to life through the science posters they design, which can be entered into the Primary School STEM Competition linked to the EPS Plasma Physics Conference 2026.

Selected posters will be showcased to scientists from around the world at the conference, giving pupils the rare opportunity to see their work celebrated on an international stage.

Children will also be invited to visit the conference at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (29 June - 3 July) to view the posters in person, where six winners will be selected.

Each winning pupil will receive a certificate and a £100 book voucher for their school.

🧲 Bring this inspiring STEM experience to your 7–11 year old pupils in June!

In‑person sessions are led by a The University of Edinburgh student STEM Ambassador, providing pupils with a relatable role model while requiring minimal preparation from teachers.

Each session is designed for one class at a time (around 30 pupils) and is fully structured, curriculum‑linked, and highly interactive - supporting learning while keeping pupils engaged and motivated.

Schools outside of Edinburgh can also take part by joining the session live on Teams, with multiple dates available to ensure flexibility and easy integration into your timetable.

🔗 Sign up here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=S2asxieuXU205rtXFxlvx-mcYUxxqp1MoZA86W7h99VUQzBNSkFFUFFWMkU1R0pQV0NHTkFWTkxVTi4u

Let's shine a light on your fantastic pupils and celebrate their ideas on a global stage!

The UKAEA Supply Chain Newsletter is now live! The newsletter forms part of our continued commitment to maintaining open, transparent communication with our supply chain community. We’re pleased to share a variety of updates, insights, and opportunities to help you stay informed and engaged.

In this edition you will find:
🔵 Events & Opportunities - highlights from our SME Webinar sessions, SME Working Group, and details on how to register for our upcoming SME Surgeries
🔵 SME Engagement Action Plan: Year One Highlights
🔵 SME Spotlight: IS-Instruments
🔵 Procurement Act - One Year On
🔵 UKAEA’s 2025 Annual Supply Chain Survey
🔵 General Updates - new Fusion Futures insights, The Fusion Cluster video series, and UKAEA’s SME Fusion Guide

➡️ https://ukaea.maglr.com/supply-chain-may-2026/front-cover

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has completed a programme of industry led projects that are delivering significant advances in fusion maintenance, inspection and robotic technologies, strengthening the UK’s capability to support the delivery and operation of future fusion power plants.

Delivered through UKAEA’s Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) centre, the projects were supported through the Fusion Futures Industry Capability Programme.

The projects addressed key challenges in fusion plant operability, enabling remote inspection, repair and maintenance in environments characterised by radiation, magnetic fields, restricted access and extreme materials requirements.

The completed projects delivered progress across three priority areas critical to future fusion operations, working with a wide range of UK industrial partners.

Fusion pipe maintenance projects, delivered by M5tec Ltd., RED Engineering and The Welding Institute, demonstrated remotely deployed tools for cutting, aligning, clamping and welding pipework in constrained environments. This included advances in mechanical pipe connections, laser cutting and rewelding techniques, and improved understanding of welding limitations in fusion relevant magnetic fields.

Fusion oriented robotic technology projects, led by Magics Technologies NV, Oxford Sigma, Radtest Ltd. and Veolia Nuclear Solutions Ltd., advanced fusion tolerant motors, sensors, electronics, communications and machine vision systems. The programme also delivered the first coherent, evidence based qualification framework for robotic systems intended for fusion environments, supporting future deployment and confidence in safety and reliability.

In vessel inspection and repair projects brought together Forg3D, Laser Additive Solutions Ltd., PyrOptik, StirLight, The Welding Institute and WAAM3D to advance inspection, additive manufacturing and repair of plasma facing and structural components, particularly tungsten. Work included stereoscopic and hyperspectral inspection, non destructive testing techniques, and multiple additive manufacturing processes suitable for robotic, in vessel deployment.

Together, the projects represent a collaborative effort across UK-based industry, bringing expertise in robotics, welding, additive manufacturing, inspection and radiation tolerant technologies into fusion relevant applications. The programme has converted public investment into demonstrable capability, strengthening the UK fusion supply chain and reducing delivery risk for future fusion facilities.

Nick Sykes, Director of RACE at UKAEA, said “Collaboration with UK-based industry is essential to deliver the complex technologies required for future fusion power plants. These projects have delivered tangible advances while strengthening the UK supply chain, helping ensure we are ready to meet the challenges of commercial fusion energy.”

Obituary: Dr John Bryan Taylor - https://www.ukaea.org/news/obituary-dr-john-bryan-taylor/

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Bryan Taylor on 14 May, 2026. He was one of the most influential figures in British and international plasma physics, and a scientist whose career was deeply interwoven with Culham and the UK fusion programme.

Registration is now open for the EPS Plasma Physics Conference 2026, taking place Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July, in Edinburgh.

We warmly invite all members of the plasma physics community to join us for what promises to be an exciting and engaging event.

⌛ Registration closes on 21 June 2026
➡️ Register via https://indico.ukaea.uk/event/449/registrations/

We’re looking forward to the conference bringing together researchers, early-career scientists, and international collaborators to share the latest advancements in plasma physics. The 2026 programme will feature:

🔵 Plenary and Invited presentations
🔵 Oral and poster presentations
🔵 Two lunch events - Women in Plasma Physics and Inertial Fusion Energy: Future Prospects
🔵 Welcome drinks reception and Gala Dinner for networking
🔵 Exhibitions from partner organisations and research institutions

For further details regarding accommodation, travel, and programme updates, please visit the conference website: epsplasma2026.com

We look forward to welcoming you to the EPS Plasma Physics Conference 2026.