Sellafield has awarded a contract to the Morgan Sindall Arup joint venture to provide a range of essential infrastructure asset services to the Sellafield site.
In October, Morgan Sindall Arup was given preferred bidder status for the Infrastructure Strategic Alliance (ISA) contract, potentially worth up to £1.1bn.
Preparations for contract award have now concluded and the contract, which will run for an initial five year period but could be extended for a further 10 years, was signed on 20 December.
Significant progress has already been made in setting up the collaborative structure that will deliver anticipated benefits to the Sellafield site and the wider community.
This includes:
• Commitment to securing a permanent base in West Cumbria
• Commitment to working with local partners to deliver an apprentice training scheme in West Cumbria
• Early engagement with local stakeholders in preparation of a socio economic plan that will identify the Alliance’s commitments to West Cumbria
George Beveridge, Nuclear Management Partners’ deputy managing director for Sellafield, said: “We are very pleased to have reached this stage. Collaborative alliances such as the ISA represent a new way of operating for Sellafield but they represent industry best practice and we now look forward to realising the benefits that this new approach will bring to the site.
“I’m particularly pleased to see that much good work has already taken place in finding a West Cumbrian location for the workforce, engaging local partners in addressing training needs and understanding the needs of our local community.
“We’ve got off to a good start. It’s important that we now maintain that momentum.”
Working in close partnership with Sellafield, Morgan Sindall and Arup will deliver a programme management and project delivery service for all infrastructure assets, including:
• Steam generation and on-site distribution;
• Electricity generation and on-site distribution;
• Water supply to site and on-site distribution;
• Compressed air generation and distribution;
• Civil infrastructure supporting pipes and cables;
• Drainage network and sewerage treatment plant;
• Roads, bridges and car parks;
• General building facilities such as canteens and laundry.
The ISA is the second in a series of long-term contracts that will be let by Sellafield under a new acquisition strategy introduced by parent body Nuclear Management Partners. Through the strategy, Sellafield will establish true alliance-style contracts with its suppliers as it undertakes the important task of cleaning up and decommissioning Europe’s most complex nuclear site.
Graham Shennan, managing director of Morgan Sindall, added: “We are extremely delighted to have completed contract signature on this highly important project. The strong collaboration between all three parties has ensured that good progress has already been made since being selected as preferred delivery partner in October.
“We will continue to use our considerable experience and innovation, combined with our safe and sustainable focus, to ensure that we support Sellafield in delivering greater quality more efficiently throughout the lifetime of the ISA.”
Jim Johnson, Arup director, said: “Signing this contract signifies the beginning of a long-term partnership not just between Sellafield Ltd, Morgan Sindall and Arup but also Arup and West Cumbria.
“We already have a team in place, as well as many trusted and dependable local partners and contractors we can rely on throughout the supply chain.
“Coupled with our substantial expertise in energy and waste resources, this ensures that we will help Sellafield deliver on its key goals and objectives for the future of the site and provide solutions to the unique challenges it faces.”
Sean Balmer, commercial director of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and chairman of Britain’s Energy Coast business cluster, said: “The signing of this contract represents a significant step towards the safe and secure clean-up of the Sellafield site – the NDA’s number one priority.
“I am particularly pleased by the commitment shown to West Cumbria by Morgan Sindall and Arup, which is reflected in their decision to establish a permanent base in the area.
“It is important that long-term, strategic contracts like this are used to provide a solid framework around which we can build a stable and secure local supply chain which will help us deliver the aspirations set out in the Britain’s Energy Coast economic blueprint.
“I look forward to seeing both of these companies make an important contribution to both the long term care of infrastructure assets at Sellafield and the wider west Cumbrian economy.”