Latest crane lifts mark major progress on SIXEP Continuity Plant

Sellafield's SIXEP Continuity Plant has reached an important milestone, with key equipment installed as the project reaches 75% completion.

The SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP) has reached an important milestone. Teams have completed a series of major crane lifts on the Sellafield site.

The new plant, being built through the Programme and Project Partners (PPP), is now three-quarters complete. It’s on track to begin operations in 2029.

The main buildings are finished and protected from the weather. Work is now focused on

fitting out the inside of the plant and installing specialist equipment.

Once complete, SCP will take over the work carried out by the current Site Ion Exchange Effluent Plant (SIXEP). It has been operating since 1985.

The plant plays an important role at Sellafield. It removes radioactive material from water used in site operations before the water is safely discharged to sea. Often described as the site’s “kidneys”, it helps keep this process running safely.

Recent lifts have seen 14 pump and valve modules moved into position. Each module weighs 16 tonnes. Teams have also installed a 55-tonne gantry crane. This spans 21 metres across the plant.

Gantry crane installation at SCP

Steve Harnwell, PPP’s managing director, said:

After years of design, engineering and manufacturing, I’m delighted to see the plant’s operational equipment arriving on site. Installing this equipment on a nuclear site is no mean feat. Our teams have had to thoroughly plan every detail.

Every major project we are delivering at Sellafield is a step towards safely managing and reducing the UK’s most hazardous nuclear materials.

We’re delivering stores for different types of nuclear material, processing plants, and analytical facilities. It’s infrastructure with purpose.

Our work is being delivered by so many organisations all working together. It stands as a powerful symbol of what UK infrastructure can achieve. Delivering with purpose, leading with expertise, and creating lasting value.

As equipment continues to arrive and be installed, the plant is moving closer to operation.

The new plant will continue this work until at least 2060. It will support Sellafield’s mission to reduce risk and deliver the site’s long-term clean-up programme.

The progress also comes as PPP marks 7 years of delivery at Sellafield. Established in 2019, PPP brings together Sellafield Ltd, KBR, Amentum, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Altrad Babcock and a wide supply chain to deliver major infrastructure projects.