Six framework contracts, potentially worth up to £400 million ($518 million) were announced on 24 April by Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) for decommissioning services at the Dounreay site in Scotland.
Dounreay, formerly the UK’s centre of fast reactor research, is now aiming to be recognised globally for decommissioning excellence. The work is being delivered by DSRL, a company owned by Cavendish Dounreay Partnership, on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
The work is expected to include construction of a size reduction facility, shaft and silo decommissioning and demolition of historic active laboratories. It will bring together the capabilities of at least 28 companies and their supply chains, initially for up to four years, with the possibility of extensions of up to an additional three years. It will take work at the site into a new phase when historic wastes from the shaft, silo and low level waste pits are due to be retrieved, repackaged and consigned to modern waste facilities.
The companies, ranging from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within the local community to some of the industry’s largest players, will now compete in ‘mini competitions’ for distinct packages of work that move the site towards its ultimate closure.
Stephen Adamson, DSRL Head of Commercial Services, said: “This agreement will deliver real and visible signs of progress towards achieving our mission. It is about forming long-term partnerships so that the successful companies can work alongside our own Dounreay staff, ensuring a first-class team combining the best site skills and experience with the wider industry knowledge and innovation that the supply chain can offer.”
In addition to technical submissions, bidders were also required to consider how they will help create a positive legacy in Caithness and North Sutherland with a number of plans put forward including support for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and SME development schemes.
Organisations appointed to DSRL’s decommissioning services framework include:
- AECOM E&C UK; MW Hargreaves; Kier Infrastructure and Overseas; Morson Projects; NIS; NSG Environmental; Squibb Group; Westinghouse Electrical Company UK
- Dounreay Decommissioning Framework (DDF) Alliance; Cavendish Nuclear; BAM Nuttall; KDC Contractors; JGC Engineering and Technical Services
- Dounreay Wood Alliance (DWA); Wood; Aquila Nuclear Engineering; GD Energy Services; Orano Projects
- Jacobs UK; Atkins
- Nuclear Decommissioning Ltd (NDL); James Fisher Nuclear; REACT Engineering; Shepley Engineers; WYG Engineering; JBV Demolition; RPS Consulting Services
- Nuvia; Graham Construction; Oxford Technologies; Thompson of Prudhoe
Wood, leader of the DWA, noted that the decommissioning services framework covers construction of new build projects required for decommissioning of the Dounreay site, as well as deplanting, decommissioning, decontamination and demolition of redundant facilities; and all associated project management, controls, engineering, design, safety case and site remediation requirements.
Photo: Decommissioning work at Dounreay (Source: DRSL)
