Costain has been selected by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) to deliver a decommissioning project at the Trawsfynydd nuclear power station located in the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales.

The firm will work with NRS on the decommissioning of the site’s reactor buildings, which were built in the 1960s and have been subject to decommissioning works since 1991.

The work is expected to take around four years and at its peak Costain is expected to employ more than 100 people to deliver the programme.

Costain will manage the deconstruction and partial reduction in the height of the power station’s two reactor buildings from approximately 54m to 25m, lessening their visual impact to local communities. It will also deliver civils and remedial works to ensure that the buildings are in a safe and stable configuration for the commencement of subsequent decommissioning activity on the site.

Sam White, managing director, natural resources at Costain, said the contract would draw on Costain’s “decades of experience” across the nuclear sector.

“This work is all part of creating a sustainable future, and we’re looking forward to deepening our relationship with NRS and working collaboratively with our local supply chain to complete this complex decommissioning project to the highest safety and quality standard,” he added.  

Rob Fletcher, chief executive officer at Nuclear Restoration Services, said: “This is a pivotal moment for Trawsfynydd. After years of careful planning and preparation, we're now moving into the delivery phase of one of the most complex and ambitious decommissioning projects in the UK.

“We’re delighted to be working with our supply chain partners to shape this next stage in the site’s journey, ensuring the work is undertaken safely, securely and sustainably for all our futures.” 

Costain previously delivered enabling works at Trawsfynydd to facilitate the decommissioning process, including the installation of a new capping roof on both the reactor buildings.

It is also working with NRS (formerly Magnox) on a six-year decommissioning programme across 11 UK sites and delivering decommission and asset care work for Sellafield as part of the Decommissioning Delivery Partnership.

The award marks Costain’s latest contract to deliver critically important infrastructure in the highly regulated nuclear energy sector. Earlier this year, it was selected to design Urenco’s new state-of-the-art advanced nuclear fuels production facility in Cheshire. It is also delivering a multi-million-pound framework to provide resourcing for the construction of Sizewell C.