Sellafield Ltd has confirmed the appointment of three firms to deliver up to £2.9bn of non-nuclear infrastructure works at its west Cumbria site, launching a long-term partnership set to run into the 2040s.
Costain, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and Hochtief (UK) Construction Ltd have been selected as delivery partners under the Infrastructure Delivery Partnership (IDP), which replaces the previous Infrastructure Strategic Alliance led by a Morgan Sindall and Arup joint venture.
The framework will run for an initial nine years with the option to extend by six until 2040, supporting Sellafield’s nuclear decommissioning and waste management programme.
Each delivery partner will be responsible for completing detailed design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover across their respective areas.
Costain has secured Lot 3, worth up to £1.06bn, as utilities delivery partner. Its role will include replacing and upgrading a wide range of utility systems, such as steam, water supply, water treatment and compressed gas networks, both on and off the site.
The firm has worked at Sellafield since 2005. It said it will draw on experience from previous nuclear and infrastructure programmes, including its work on the Evaporator D project and the Decommissioning Delivery Partnership.
Lot 2, valued at £1.29bn, has gone to Morgan Sindall Infrastructure as electrical distribution partner, while Hochtief will oversee £595m of civils work under Lot 4, including bridges, roads and rail links.
The IDP was first advertised in February 2023 with a total estimated value of £3.44bn across four lots. A fourth strategic partner, responsible for early-stage engineering and portfolio management, is expected to be confirmed separately under Lot 1, worth £495m.
That partner will define a single viable delivery option for infrastructure works, which will be adopted by the three delivery firms.
All the contractors in today’s award announcement have committed to aligning with the client’s Social Impact strategy, which includes targets for employment, apprenticeships and supply chain growth in Cumbria.
Costain chief executive Alex Vaughan said the long-term award reinforced the company’s role in the UK’s civil nuclear energy sector. “As one of Sellafield’s trusted partners we will deliver safe, high-quality utilities upgrades in a complex working environment,” he said.
Sellafield Ltd chief supply chain officer James Riddick said the IDP would ensure the site had the infrastructure required to support decommissioning operations.
Source: Gov.uk/Costain announcement
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Ben Vogel