Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 10, Mace has been appointed as the main contractor for the Vulcan 20-20 building at the Science & Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, located on the Harwell campus in Oxfordshire. The £85 million project will provide specialist infrastructure to house and operate the world’s most powerful laser, replacing the existing Vulcan laser, which has supported research in plasma physics and high-energy density science for over 40 years.

Following the completion of enabling works, Vulcan 20-20 has entered its main construction phase. Mace Construct will lead the building of two seven-metre-tall targeting bunkers, with walls and soffits up to two metres thick, made using a specialised radiation-resistant concrete mix designed to shield beams a billion times hotter than the brightest sunlight.

The building will feature ultra-precision environments, including specialist shielding, vibration isolation, and ultra-clean spaces, to ensure optimal performance of the laser system. The facility will house a 20 Petawatt laser, capable of delivering in a single pulse enough energy to recreate extreme conditions found in space, explore new fusion-based clean energy methods, and advance fundamental physics research.

Rob Lemming, Managing Director for Public Sector and Life Sciences at Mace Construct, said: “Vulcan 20-20 is a landmark project for UK science and presents complex technical challenges, but our team’s experience at Harwell and our track record in delivering high-performance environments means we’re ready to meet them.”

Mace will continue collaborating with the existing project team, including Fairhurst Design Group, Glanville, Hoare Lea, BB7, and RSK, maintaining continuity of expertise. This appointment follows Mace’s successful delivery of the Rosalind Franklin Institute, the National Satellite Test Facility, and the Extreme Photonics Applications Centre at Harwell.

The contract was awarded through the Southern Construction Framework. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2027, with commissioning and scientific operations to follow.

Vulcan 20-20 is designed to support cutting-edge research in physics, energy, and materials science. Its advanced laser system will enable scientists to study high-energy density environments, recreate astrophysical phenomena, and investigate fusion processes, contributing to both scientific discovery and the development of future energy technologies.

The facility also represents a significant investment in UK scientific infrastructure, combining high-performance construction techniques with specialist materials and precision engineering to meet the demanding requirements of next-generation research equipment.

By integrating expertise in radiation shielding, vibration control, and ultra-clean environments, Vulcan 20-20 will provide a world-class platform for experimental science, reinforcing the Harwell campus as a leading centre for high-energy and photonics research in the UK.