Three firms win £2.9bn worth of Sellafield nuclear infrastructure work

Aerial view of Sellafield, Cumbria, England (Image: Simon Ledingham via Wikimedia Commons)

The three firms are taking part in a long-term arrangement called the Infrastructure Delivery Partnership (IDP).

The IDP replaces the existing Infrastructure Strategic Alliance and will deliver projects and tasks to support essential services at Sellafield like electricity distribution, water, road and rail networks, bridges, foundations and security installations.

The contracts will be for an initial nine years with an option for a further six years, through to 2040 and work is split into three lots: Morgan Sindall will serve as electrical distribution partner, Costain as utilities partner, and Hochtief as civils partner.

Costain said its work under the partnership would be worth up to £1 billion (€1.2 billion), while Hochtief said its role on the framework would involve up to £595 million (€684.1 million) of work.

Under the contracts, the companies will complete detailed design plus all procurement, installation, construction, commissioning, and handover activities that form part of project delivery.

The contracts also include commitments to support the local community in west Cumbria.

Professional services organisation GHD has been selected by Morgan Sindall Infrastructure as a design partner on the Sellafield, along with Baker Hicks. Separately, Arup will work with Costain as a key supply chain member to refurbish and replace a variety of on-site and off-site utility distribution systems and services.

James Riddick, Sellafield chief supply chain officer, said, “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.”