UK engineering firm appointed to deliver major decommissioning project at Dungeness A
NRS has appointed UK supply-chain company Aureos to deliver the next major phase of decommissioning at Dungeness A in Kent, paving the way for the removal of some of the site’s largest remaining structures.
Aerial shot of Dungeness A in Kent
Worth up to £190 million, the contract will help accelerate the safe decommissioning of the site, reduce long-term national risk and support British industry, skills and economic opportunities for local communities.
The project will remove eight boiler units, each weighing around 800 tonnes, together with associated plant and infrastructure. It follows four years of enabling work to prepare the site for this complex phase of delivery.
Dungeness A first boiler arrived on site in 1962
Rob Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer of NRS, said: “This is a landmark project for NRS and a major engineering challenge. By working closely with Aureos, our supply chain and regulators, we will explore new approaches in line with the recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Review to safely decommission our sites, deliver better value for taxpayer and maintain our unwavering commitment to safety.”
The boilers will be moved using a specialist jack and slide system, allowing some of the station’s largest remaining structures to be removed safely, efficiently and with precision. Their removal will mark visible progress in transforming the site and reducing future care demands.
Vicki Baxter, Senior Project Manager, added: “Reaching this point is a real achievement for everyone involved. It reflects exceptional teamwork, careful planning and close collaboration in completing the demolition and site preparation work safely.”
Aureos was selected through a competitive procurement process that assessed technical capability, project certainty, innovation, social value and cost.
Dave Evans, Dungeness A Site Director, said: “This contract marks the beginning of one of the most significant stages in Dungeness A’s decommissioning journey. It is the result of years of planning and preparation and moves us significantly closer to achieving our decommissioning mission for the site.”
Darren James, Chief Executive Officer of Aureos, said: “On behalf of Aureos, I am delighted that we have received this award following a procurement process that placed significant emphasis on innovation. We look forward to working with NRS to deliver the project and recognise its importance to the Dungeness A site and surrounding area.”
The supplier will work closely with local communities and stakeholders throughout the project, including schools, universities, community groups and local businesses. Activities will include engagement events, supply chain opportunities, volunteering initiatives and regular updates to ensure the project delivers lasting benefits for the region.
Dungeness A boilers and Ancillary Plant Removal Project Team
Once complete, the project will have removed around a third of Dungeness A’s above-ground structures, significantly reducing the site’s footprint and long-term maintenance requirements while supporting NRS’s progress towards completing the site’s decommissioning mission and ultimately making land available for future beneficial use.