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Consultancy Atkins has completed the acquisition of US nuclear consultancy Nuclear Safety Associates for £9 million.
Nuclear Safety Associates (NSA) provides nuclear safety, design engineering, and professional security services and employs 130 people at several locations across the US. The firm works closely with the US Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission but also has grown a commercial business, working with firms such as GE-Hitachi and Westinghouse.
Dr Uwe Krueger, chief executive of Atkins, said: “This acquisition is another step towards our strategy to be one of the world’s leading energy consultancies. NSA will enhance our presence in North America, the world’s largest nuclear market, and its safety and security skills will strengthen our international nuclear offering.”
The two firms started working together in October 2012. The acquisition was announced in May subject to regulatory approvals.
Chris Ball, Atkins’ managing director for the nuclear business in Energy, said: “Atkins’ nuclear business is supporting countries that are building nuclear for the first time, and those countries are establishing US-style regulatory regimes. NSA’s expertise in the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulatory environment will be of great value in delivering these projects.”
Amongst the nuclear projects Atkins' nuclear business is involved with is Iter, the European project to build a the world's largest experimental nuclear fusion reactor (pictured above). Atkins is delivering civil, structural and mechanical design and construction services under a £132 million contract.