UK’s STEP fusion energy programme appoints Kier

RNS Reach: 16 March 2026

Kier Group plc

UK's flagship STEP fusion energy programme appoints Kier

Leading role in strategic clean energy initiative, securing multi-year revenue stream

Kier Group plc (Kier, the Company or the Group), a leading UK infrastructure services, construction and property group, as part of ILIOS - a consortium led jointly by Kier and Nuvia, with specialist support from AECOM, AL_A and Turner & Townsend - has been appointed by UK Fusion Energy (formerly known as UK Industrial Fusion Solutions) as construction partner for the pioneering Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) fusion programme. The consortium will support the first three‑year, £200m tranche of the programme to design and build a world‑leading prototype fusion energy plant at West Burton in Nottinghamshire and forms part of a wider programme with future opportunities of up to £10bn. At its peak, the project will support up to 8,000 onsite jobs, creating long‑term economic opportunities for the region.

STEP, sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, is the UK's flagship fusion energy initiative and a major milestone in the transition to low‑carbon energy. As construction partner, ILIOS will be responsible for the design and construction of all buildings, infrastructure and facilities across the STEP site, as well as constructability, project controls and programme integration.

This appointment strengthens Kier's long‑term revenue visibility in one of its strategic growth markets, aligning with our focus on complex, regulated infrastructure. The STEP programme represents one of the UK's most significant future clean‑energy opportunities, creating a multi‑year pipeline where Kier's proven delivery of high‑hazard civil engineering in the nuclear sector, large‑scale programme management and world‑class technical design provides a clear competitive edge. As Fusion progresses towards commercial viability, our role within the ILIOS consortium positions Kier at the forefront of a sector with strong anticipated investment over the next decade.

Commenting on the partnership, Stuart Togwell, Chief Executive said:

"STEP is exactly the type of long‑term, complex national infrastructure programme our teams are well‑placed to deliver, and it adds further high‑quality opportunity in a sector where we see clear growth as fusion moves towards commercial viability.

We're proud to be appointed as construction partner as part of the ILIOS consortium and to support the UK's clean energy transition ambitions through this world‑first project."

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About Kier

Kier is a leading UK infrastructure services, construction and property group.

Our purpose is to sustainably deliver infrastructure which is vital to the UK, and we are committed to leaving lasting legacies through our work.

We provide specialist design and build capabilities and the knowledge, skills and intellectual capital of our people to ensure we are able to project manage and integrate all aspects of a project.

You can find out more about Kier on our website.