Sellafield Ltd awards high hazard risk reduction framework contract
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-31)

Sellafield Ltd awards framework with a total value of £4.6 billion to support high hazard risk reduction.

Sellafield Ltd has awarded a framework with a maximum value of £4.6 billion to support high hazard risk reduction programmes on the Sellafield site, through the Decommissioning and Nuclear Waste Partnership (DNWP).

The framework agreement will be in place for up to 15 years. DNWP will support activities related to retrieving waste materials from the Sellafield site’s oldest facilities as well as treating and storing those materials and decommissioning redundant assets.

The framework will work collaboratively with suppliers at every stage, from planning to delivery - to ensure smooth delivery and shared success.

This provides a value-for-money route to specialist supply chain capabilities and capacities needed for future decommissioning tasks and projects.

The confirmed winners of the 4 lots are:

Lot 1 (Remediation):
- A2R
- Amentum
Lot 2 (Retrievals)
- The Decommissioning Alliance
Lot 3 (Retrievals)
- Nuclear Decommissioning Solutions
Lot 4 (Integrated Nuclear Waste Partner)
- A2R
The partnership will build upon the past capabilities successfully delivered through the existing Design Services Alliance (DSA) and Decommissioning Delivery Partnership (DDP) ahead of their expiry.

Positive social impact is also a key priority of the framework which includes commitments from each of the partners, aligned to Sellafield’s Social Impact Strategy - SiX Multiplied. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sellafield-ltd-social-impact-strategy)

Examples of objectives include:
- improving the sustainability and resilience of non-profit organisations
- attracting visitors to create a sustainable tourism economy
- diversifying the economy beyond the nuclear industry
- addressing industry skills gaps by developing a skilled labour pool
- internships and apprenticeships
The companies will also develop a joint sustainability plan to ensure a collaborative approach which is aligned to local priorities and delivers maximum impact and return on investment.

DNWP is a key element of Sellafield Ltd’s Overarching Acquisition Strategy.

James Riddick, Sellafield Ltd chief supply chain officer, said:

Cleaning up the legacy of historic operations on our site is at the heart of our mission. It is important that we achieve this safely, efficiently, and sustainably - our supply chain, and this partnership plays a key role in that.

We’re pleased to welcome our new partners. Their specialist capabilities and teams, working alongside our skilled Sellafield workforce, will help us deliver our mission and drive progress both on site and across our wider community.

Just as importantly, these partners share our values and our commitment to creating lasting social value for the communities we serve.

Chris Conboy, managing director - Nuclear EMEA, AtkinsRéalis, on behalf of A2R, said:

Altrad and AtkinsRéalis have supported Sellafield Ltd for over 3 decades. Through the DNWP Framework, we will continue to deploy our knowledge, commitment and shared expertise to deliver complex remediation and waste treatment services safely, sustainably, and efficiently, helping Sellafield to deliver on its mission and in the lasting impact it has on the local community.

Loren Jones, senior vice president, Amentum commented:

We will bring world-class, multidisciplinary, end-to-end engineering and project management capabilities to the UK’s most significant nuclear legacy challenges while also delivering outstanding performance on safety, collaboration, social impact and key supply chain management.

John Murphy, operations director, Westinghouse Environmental Services UK and The Decommissioning Alliance (TDA) Chair, on behalf of TDA said:

TDA is a world-class blend of engineering, project management and nuclear innovation capabilities.

We are delighted that we will be able to bring these to bear in support of Sellafield Ltd’s vital mission whilst also delivering significant benefits to the local economy through job creation, training and small and medium-enterprise partnerships.

Mike Lacey, Nuclear Decommissioning Solutions (NDS) framework director commented:

NDS are delighted to be part of the DNWP Framework, combining the professional skills and experience of Altrad, Cavendish Nuclear and Shepley Engineers to provide specialist expertise to the programme.

We will work together with our Sellafield Silos Partner to support this nationally important programme of retrieval operations.

By working collaboratively, in all aspects of our joint undertaking, we will create a lasting legacy and safe environment for future generations. In committing to the proposed long-term sustainability plan with our partners, which will be at the heart of everything we do, we will continue to deliver real social impact and value to the local communities.

Further reading

Our priorities and progress (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sellafield-ltd-priorities-and-progress)