Sellafield selects partners for asset care framework

Sellafield Ltd - owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority - has selected the partners for two lots under the Project and Asset Care Execution (PACE) delivery framework. PACE succeeds Sellafield's Integrated Asset Care framework and Design Service Alliance to support the maintenance, modification and development of operational nuclear facilities across the site. Sellafield Ltd said PACE will improve value for money by "using common approaches across assets, and adopting a scalable and output-focused approach".

Under Lot 1, OneAxIoM (a joint venture between Amentum Clean Energy Ltd and Mitie Ltd) and its supply chain partners Assystem and Mott MacDonald will support Sellafield Ltd's used fuel management and retrievals mission by providing full lifecycle capabilities including engineering and design, procurement, installation and plant modification, project management and controls, commissioning, dismantling, removal and ongoing asset care. The value of the lot is up to GBP2.1 billion.

Under Lot 2, Hochtief Infrastructure UK - a subsidiary of German construction company Hochtief - will work to support the batch specialist and decommissioning nuclear facilities in Special Nuclear Materials, nuclear infrastructure and remediation. The lot has an estimated value of up to GBP1.5 billion. As part of the framework, Hochtief will deliver a broad range of services including design, procurement, installation, commissioning, asset care, project management and project controls. Much of the work will be undertaken in operational and radiologically controlled environments, requiring the highest standards of safety, technical capability and project delivery expertise.

"Off-site delivery will be an important part of PACE," Sellafield Ltd said. "The framework will support modern methods of construction. This will include building, inspecting and preparing assets off site before installation."

For Lot 1, an existing facility in Egremont, West Cumbria will be refurbished, building on resource already established through the Integrated Asset Care Framework. For Lot 2, partners are considering new off-site locations. These will support efficient delivery, help create job and local business opportunities.

The frameworks will run for an initial nine years with an option for a further six years, through to 2041. Formal award of the framework agreements will follow when final contractual arrangements are concluded.

"The PACE framework is a major part of our overarching acquisition strategy, and a lot of work has gone into preparing for this exciting long-term partnership," said James Riddick, chief commercial officer, Sellafield Ltd. "We are looking forward to working together on the positive opportunities for both our mission and our community."

Matthew Johns, chief engineer, Sellafield Ltd added: "Our mission is to create a clean, safe and secure environment for future generations. To do this we must ensure our assets remain safe, reliable and fit for the future. This agreement is an important step to strengthen our asset care capability. It will provide the expertise we need to maintain a high standard of safe and efficient delivery. We look forward to working collaboratively with OneAxIoM and Hochtief. We will build a framework that delivers safe, effective and sustainable outcomes. These will benefit Sellafield and the wider community."

The Sellafield site - which houses more than 1,000 buildings - is the largest nuclear complex in Western Europe. Sellafield's nuclear facilities include those connected with the Magnox reprocessing programme, the Sellafield mixed-oxide fuel plant, the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant, and nuclear waste treatment plants. It is also home to redundant facilities from defence work in the 1950s, which included making plutonium for nuclear weapons.