Design and construction support for the decommissioning of nuclear site

Context and challenges

Sellafield Ltd, a major player in the nuclear industry in the United Kingdom, is responsible for the safe and secure operation and clean-up of the Sellafield nuclear site. It now comprises 400 buildings spread over 10 sqm and employs around 10,000 people.

The DSA (Design Services Alliance) framework agreement, won by a joint-venture, is a multi-disciplinary design and safety contract focused on hazard reduction and decommissioning for the Sellafield site in West Cumbria, United Kingdom.

This joint-venture has appointed Assystem (25% partner), which was tasked with developing a completely new approach for the delivery of engineering, design and safety case assessment services in support of Sellafield’s operations. Assystem, together with their partners in the joint-venture, have been engaged to deliver a step-change improvement in safe, efficient, site-focused design services through collaborative working, aligned objectives and stakeholder accountability.

Project scope

Delivery of design and safety assessment
Support for construction phases (working with implementation contractors)
Refurbishment and enhancement design packages
Post-operational clean out and decommissioning support
Use of innovative technologies e.g. lead the use of 21st century tools (BIM level 2) with integrated Sellafield Team

The programme is structured across eight lots over four capability areas, including mechanical handling; process plant; control, electrical and instrumentation (CE&I); and civil, structural and architectural (CS&A) systems.

Individual projects include:

Dragon Waste Project, Long Term Periodic Reviews, First Generation Magnox Storage Pond, SPP1 BSV Vessel Monitoring, Vitrified Residue Returns, Concrete Lined Drums, Site Ion Exchange Effluent Plant (SIXEP – includes use of BIM 21st century tools), major projects RAP (Replacement Analytical Project), SCP (SIXEP Contingency Plant) and SRP (SPRS Retreatment Plant).

Client benefits