Mandelson puts commercial arm of UK atomic energy agency on sale

31 March 2009

The UK government plans to sell UKAEA Ltd, the commercial arm of the Atomic Energy Authority, secretary of state for business, Peter Mandelson, said Yesterday.

UKAEA mainly performs nuclear decommissioning work and support the building of new nuclear plants in the UK and overseas.

Mandelson said the government would accept offers for a partial stake in the business and hoped to complete a deal before the end of July.

''The sale is recognition of the work done by management in creating a commercially viable enterprise that has become an important repository of key nuclear skills that will help ensure that the UK will remain at the forefront of the nuclear services industry," Mandelson said.

He said UKAEA has a "fledgling" consulting service business in the decommissioning sector which it will use to grow revenue.

Civil engineering companies, including Amec and Fluor, the US contractor, are expected to be among the front runners for UKAEA.