McBains will provide a range of services to Tokamak Energy for the construction of a new fusion energy advanced prototype facility at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA’s) Culham Campus.
Tokamak Energy’s compact spherical tokamak, ST80-HTS, will demonstrate multiple technologies required for the delivery of clean, sustainable fusion energy. This includes a complete set of cutting-edge high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets to confine and control the hydrogen fuel, which becomes plasma many times hotter than the sun.
As an already trusted partner to UKAEA, this is McBains’ first fusion power project with Tokamak Energy, which has appointed McBains to deliver site design services through RIBA Stages 1-3 for the new fusion energy facility at the Culham campus in Oxfordshire.
McBains will provide an inter-disciplinary service for Tokamak Energy, comprising architecture, building services engineering, civil and structural engineering, cost management and principal designer services.
The new purpose-built facility will feature a main hall for the Tokamak advanced prototype, alongside assembly halls and various supporting functions such as cryogenics, power systems and laboratories, as well as control rooms, offices, and conference facilities. Build completion is expected in 2026.
Anna Kealey, Project Director at McBains, said:
“McBains is incredibly excited to be involved with this pioneering project and Tokamak Energy’s pursuit of a sustainable and secure commercial energy source.
“Having worked with UKAEA on several projects at their Culham campus, we’re confident that the partnership between Tokamak Energy and UKAEA will be hugely successful and look forward to it bringing the reality of fusion power a step closer.”
In the Press
You might be interested in...
ESTATES GAZETTE: Simplifying BNG for sheds
In an article for Estates Gazette, Matthew Baldwin, Project Director at McBains, explores how brownfield sites are grappling with BNG requirements and how proposed reforms in the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill could make compliance simpler and more strategic.
New Urgent Treatment Centre opens at Worthing Hospital
A significant part of Worthing Hospital’s multi-million-pound improvement programme to expand its Emergency Department (ED) reached completion recently, with the handover and official opening of a new, purpose-built urgent treatment centre (UTC) on August 29, 2025
RIBA JOURNAL: An unconventional north London community gets a people-focused new heart
McBains is featured in RIBA Journal for our role as structural engineers on Highgate Newtown Community Centre in Camden.
Tamworth College welcomes new students
The construction of South Staffordshire College’s new Tamworth College campus reached completion at the end of August, with the college welcoming students for the start of the new academic year in September.
McBains Secures Multi-Lot Appointment on £175m National Framework
McBains is proud to announce its successful appointment to four lots on the Fusion21 Construction Consultancy Services Framework.
Steve Brooker joins judging panel for prestigious Building Better Healthcare Awards 2025
Director of London Project Management, Steve Brooker, recently served as a judge for the Building Better Healthcare Awards 2025, helping to review entries in the Building Class group, which spans nine categories, including the coveted Best Healthcare Development over £75 million.