Three contractors have been named to deliver up to £2.9bn of non‑nuclear infrastructure work at the Sellafield nuclear site, in a long‑term arrangement that will run for up to 15 years.
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Costain and Hochtief (UK) Construction will operate under the Infrastructure Delivery Partnership (IDP), a framework intended to manage projects and tasks that keep essential services running across the west Cumbria complex. The IDP replaces Sellafield Ltd’s existing Infrastructure Strategic Alliance and forms a core part of its wider acquisition strategy.
The work packages are split into three specialist lots. Morgan Sindall has been appointed electrical distribution partner and will lead upgrades and maintenance of the site’s electrical network, supported by design partners GHD and Baker Hicks.
Costain will act as utilities partner, a package the company said could be worth up to £1bn to it. It will be responsible for refurbishment and replacement of on‑site and off‑site utility systems including steam, water supply and treatment and compressed gas. Arup has been appointed by Costain as a key supply chain partner to deliver multidisciplinary design services under the contract. This builds on Arup’s previous 15 years’ experience on the Infrastructure Strategic Alliance (ISA) at Sellafield.
Hochtief has taken the civils partner role under a framework worth as much as £595M for design, engineering and delivery of civil infrastructure works in support of nuclear operations and decommissioning.
Each contract covers an initial nine‑year period with an option to extend for a further six years, taking the arrangements through to 2040 if the extensions are exercised. Under the IDP, the contractors will be responsible for detailed design, procurement, installation, construction, commissioning and handover for projects within their scopes.
Sellafield Ltd and the contractors say the framework aims to deliver value for money and to stimulate investment in local skills, innovation and sustainability. The partners have committed to measures intended to benefit the local economy in west Cumbria, including support for local business growth, creating employment, apprenticeships and work placements and a significant programme of employee volunteering. The companies also plan a joint sustainability plan aligned to local priorities.
The contracts arrive against the backdrop of a long, complex and behind schedule decommissioning and clean‑up programme at Sellafield, where maintaining reliable non‑nuclear infrastructure – power, water, transport and foundations – is critical to both ongoing operations and the safety of decommissioning works. Sellafield Ltd has previously relied on a range of external suppliers for these services; the IDP is intended to consolidate delivery under a smaller set of long‑term partners.
Sellafield Ltd chief supply chain officer James Riddick said: “Our job at Sellafield is to create a clean and safe environment for future generations.
“That means safely, securely, and cost effectively dealing with the legacy of historic operations on our site.
“To deliver this we need robust and reliable infrastructure to support our nuclear decommissioning and waste management activities.
“IDP is a long-term strategic partnership designed to provide that support while unlocking investment and opportunities for our local community and delivering sustainable value for money to the taxpayer.
“We’re excited to welcome our new partners, and we look forward to working together to progress our mission while creating transformational and enduring social value.”
Costain chief executive officer Alex Vaughan commented: “This new contract award with Sellafield, with whom we have been working with since 2005, is testament to our strategy of developing long-term relationships with tier 1 customers, building strong and collaborative partnerships, broadening our service offering, and maintaining consistency and continuity of workflows.
“This long-term award further demonstrates our integral position in the UK’s civil nuclear energy market. The Government is clear that the safe and responsible decommissioning of the UK’s nuclear legacy is a critical part of creating a sustainable future and delivering local and national economic prosperity. As one of Sellafield’s trusted partners we will deliver safe, high-quality utilities upgrades in a complex working environment.”
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure managing director Simon Smith said: “We have been delivering in West Cumbria for over 15 years, and we are delighted to build on this further with the award of the Infrastructure Delivery Partnership. This long-term programme is not only nationally significant for Sellafield and its decommissioning programme, but we know first-hand the benefits to local communities and the region from an award of this nature.
“This award reflects the brilliant work our teams have delivered and continue to deliver.”
Hochtief CEO Juan Santamaría Cases said: “Hochtief has an unbroken legacy in the nuclear sector since the 1950s and is a trusted partner in engineering and construction for some of the world’s most critical nuclear programmes. Together with Sellafield and its delivery partners, we have secured this strategic, long-term partnership. The award builds on Hochtief’s expanding portfolio of long-term delivery contracts with globally significant clients across the nuclear and infrastructure sectors.”
GHD regional general manager UK Kevin Eyers said: “We’re honoured to be chosen as a design partner for the Sellafield IDP framework and look forward to working with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and Baker Hicks on this important framework. This team is founded on a shared dedication to excellence in infrastructure engineering, design, and construction, and GHD is excited to bring our experience to Sellafield. We look forward to collaborating with our partners and delivering safe, resilient and sustainable infrastructure solutions.”
GHD general manager for technical services EMEA Craig Stockton said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured a place on the IDP framework for Sellafield with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring together our collective experience to one of the UK’s most important infrastructure programmes, delivering innovation, safety, and sustainable value for the future.”
GHD industrial solutions technical director Nathan Woods said: “I am extremely proud that GHD, along with Baker Hicks, has been named as design partner for Morgan Sindall Infrastructure on the Sellafield IDP framework. This design partnership is the culmination of over 15-years of past and present UK team members, delivering multi-faceted engineering projects for UK Nuclear Duty Holders. This long-term collaboration reflects all our shared commitment to engineering excellence, innovation, ensuring resilient infrastructure that benefits the local community, and enhances safety for future generations.”
Arup associate director Ann-Marie Cowperthwaite commented: “Arup’s knowledge of the site combined with our extensive expertise in process and mechanical engineering enables us to plan for an extensive range of scenarios and complex system interdependencies. This will help assure all the right conditions for all the different utility elements of the site are maintained thereby enabling Sellafield to operate the site with greater safety, security, and confidence.
“A project of this duration also creates a crucial opportunity for local upskilling and training opportunities, fostering long-term workforce development. We look forward to working alongside Costain and other partners to provide integrated solutions throughout the site as well as career development opportunities for the next generation of engineers.”
Costain defence and nuclear energy sector director Bob Anstey said: “This project is about creating a sustainable future by safely decommissioning the UK’s nuclear legacy. We have a long and successful track record with Sellafield, with a highly qualified and experienced workforce that consistently works to the highest safety and quality standards.
“A key part of our role will be to help ensure the project leaves a positive legacy that improves lives and provides long-term benefits to local communities. We look forward to working closely with Sellafield, Arup and our supply chain partners to deliver high-quality utilities upgrades in a complex working environment.”
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