Mace has been selected as preferred bidder on a new contract with Sellafield Ltd for its Silos Direct Encapsulation Plant (SDP) project, as part of an equal three way joint venture with Areva and Atkins.

The SDP is a bespoke, mechanical handling and encapsulation plant for nuclear Intermediate Level Waste (ILW). The project is an integral part of the waste retrieval and hazard reduction programme for the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) at Sellafield, which is of strategic importance to the UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).


Sellafield Ltd will now enter a period of preferred bidder clarification and confirmation of commitment with a.m.a whilst the contract is finalised and all legal processes are completed. The final contract award will require approval from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

Mace, together with its joint venture partners, is required to take the project through detailed design, construction, manufacture, procurement, installation, and inactive commissioning.

In announcing the contract, Scott Reeder, Sellafield Ltd's Chief Projects Officer commented: "The market recognised the challenges presented by this important and complex project and two strong joint venture organisations emerged to tender for the contract. Sellafield Ltd was very pleased with the quality, capability and commitment offered by each of these organisations."

(CD)