Managing a trailblazing nuclear fusion project

Opportunity

In southern France, international partners such as China, Europe, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States are collaborating to build the world's largest tokamak, a magnetic fusion device that has been designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy based on the same principle that powers the sun. In 2018, the ITER Organisation decided to collaborate with a single supplier to provide all functions for its project management office, including project control management, project planning, cost estimating, risk and opportunity management, base line change control, in-kind procurement and IT services.

Solution

Mott MacDonald formed a joint venture with Altran Technologies (AchievMent) in response to this requirement. Through AchievMent, both companies were able to build on each other’s strength and deliver the competence, skills and personnel required for the project. In total, 35 staff were deployed in a multi-national team in France.

The unique nature of the project made risk management a particularly challenging function. We coordinated risk processes across the entirety of this €20bn+ project; facilitated proactive identification and management of risk; were responsible for identifying procedural deficiencies in the risk management process; and provided practical solutions.

Outcome

Mott MacDonald provided experts in their field that were able to deliver in line with the project’s objectives, requirements and capabilities. The project saw a significant step change in the way time and cost are controlled, with scheduling driven by an emphasis on construction and commissioning rather than manufacturing. Our involvement enhanced risk-based decision-making, and our activities have helped to bridge the gap between design silos and enhanced collaboration between partners.