Context and challenges

The client, a major player in the nuclear industry in the United Kingdom, is responsible for the safe and secure operation and clean-up of the 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 client's 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 the client’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 the client's integrated 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

  • Over 7M hours without a lost time injury
  • Overall cost savings of £200M realised
  • Overall schedule saving of circa 550 months
  • Average of 22% per year supply chain spend
  • Average of 11% per year of SME (Smaller and Medium-sized Enterprises) spend

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