UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority names Sellafield bidders

London (Platts)--27Mar2007

The UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Monday said six groups, all
with ties to the US, were in the running to manage the cleanup at the
Sellafield nuclear site.
The finalist would win a five-year contract worth more than GBP1 billion
($1.96 billion) a year, and have the inside track for a 17-year project to
clean-up the 4 sq km site that is home to more than 200 nuclear facilities.
The NDA in a statement said the selection "represents a significant
milestone" in the competition.
The groups are:
--US-based CH2M HILL International Nuclear Services Ltd
--US-owned Energy Solutions EU
--US-based Fluor Limited in partnership with Japan's Toshiba
--American Jacobs Engineering Group
--SBB Nuclear, a consortium that includes the UK's Serco Holdings,
US-based Bechtel Management and US-owned BWXT Nuclear Services (UK)
--a consortium that includes American Washington Group International,
the UK's AMEC Nuclear Holdings and French Areva.
The NDA said it expects to announce the winner in mid-2008.
"This strong field promises a robust competition to achieve the NDA's
overall aim of continuous improvement in health, safety and environmental
performance while simultaneously improving value for money and driving
innovation from the resulting Sellafield contract," said NDA chief executive
Ian Roxburgh.
--Jeffrey Sparshott, jeffrey_sparshott@platts.com