Atos Origin, the international IT services company, has announced plans to establish a new 'Competency Center' in Beijing to offer its portfolio of technical automation solutions to the civil nuclear industry and the oil & gas markets in the region.

Atos says the move reflects the growing demand from customers in China for expertise in IT services and the importance of the Asia Pacific and Chinese energy markets to the IT sector.

This ‘Energy and Utility Competency Centre’ will be launched in July 2008 to become fully operational by January 2009. This will provide domestic and global energy companies and nuclear operators with advanced technologies to meet the needs of China’s fast growing energy market.

Philippe Germond, CEO of Atos Origin, said: “This decision is a new step forward for Atos Origin to position the group as a worldwide provider of distinctive industry solutions. Atos Origin’s Digital Control System is widely recognized as a state-of-the-art reference by the most prominent nuclear operators in the world. Our solution is already implemented in three nuclear power plants in China and we are happy to reinforce our presence in this major market and to bring this expertise to the rest of the Asia Pacific region”.