United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

UK national authority, established in 1954 to be responsible for research and development of all non-military aspects of nuclear energy. The authority also provided private industry with contract research and development, and specialized technical and advanced engineering services. The research function was split off into a new company, AEA Technology, which was put up for sale in September 1996 as part of the government's privatization programme. UKAEA now manages its nuclear installations and is responsible for decommissioning and maximizing the return on property.

The main areas of research are: thermal reactors, fast reactors, fusion, decommissioning of plants and radioactive waste management, nuclear fuels, and environmental and energy technology. The principal establishments are at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Oxfordshire; the Culham Laboratory, Oxfordshire; Dounreay, Scotland; Risley, Cheshire; and Winfrith, Dorset.