Areva and Atkins form nuclear partnership

Duo will target work in the UK nuclear fuel management and decommissioning sector

Two global engineering companies, Areva and Atkins, have formed a joint venture to compete for projects in the UK nuclear fuel management and decommissioning sector.

The Areva-Atkins partnership will bid for significant contracts at Tier 2 level in the nuclear engineering sector.

The joint venture will draw on the expertise of both companies. The partnership aims to offer a combination of international technology along with unbeatable design and engineering consultancy and deep understanding of the UK market and regulations.

Dominique Mockly, Areva senior executive vice-president, said: “We are delighted to link with a company with such a strong reputation as Atkins. This will enable us to put our proven technology to use in meeting the challenges of UK decommissioning and strengthen Areva’s footprint in the country.”

Martin Grant, chief executive of Atkins' energy business, said: “We have been involved in the UK nuclear clean-up programme since the late 1980s and bring a wealth of experience. The partnership we have created will allow us to further develop skills and capabilities to support a long-term, sustainable nuclear industry.”

Areva's expertise includes used-fuel recycling, decommissioning, waste management and transport solutions. The company is part of Nuclear Management Partners which manages Sellafield.

Atkins is an engineering and design consultancy, with 9,000 of its 17,500 people based in the UK. It has been working at Sellafield, Magnox and former UKAEA sites for 25 years.

The partnership will be based in Warrington.