GBE-N publishes commercial pipeline with estimated value of up to £4.6bn

Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has published a commercial pipeline of activities with an estimated total value of up to £4.6bn. The pipeline was published on the body’s website on 4 August with a short description which says it “provides a forward look of potential commercial activity” within (GBE-N). The document lists 14 contracts including “SMR (small modular reactor) delivery partner”, “main works”, “early works” and “specialist scope” for marine off-loading facility (Molf). The SMR delivery partner contract has an estimated value of £1.09bn and is seeking a delivery partner to “provide project management and integration to the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project, including all sub-projects”. The description continues: “The delivery partner will provide co-ordination, project controls, programme management and efficiency, interface management, integration, management of project baselines (including change control) throughout the project delivery lifecycle, and foster collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation across the project and supply chain. “One delivery partner will be appointed for the SMR project to work alongside the relevant technology partner for the deployment of their SMR technology.” The next largest contract is “main works”, which is valued at £910M to £1.82bn, with an estimated procurement start date of Q1 2029. The description of the contract says “this main works package refers to the principal phase of construction where the core assets, structures, and systems of the project are delivered”. It goes on to state that activities will include the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) stage 4 technical design for, and delivery of major civils, structural construction, building systems installation, full mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) integration, site security establishment and operations throughout the construction phase, on-site parking, workshops, hardstanding, roads and the infrastructure works enabling the power plant build. Design to end of Ribs 3 is assumed to have been delivered by the EP (engineering partner). Another contract of high value is for “Early Works – Civils, Infrastructure, Buildings & MEP and Earthworks”, with an estimated value of £730M to £1.1bn and covers “key enabling activities required to prepare the site for main construction”. The estimated procurement start date is March 2027. The package includes “the design (from Riba 4 Stage) and delivery of ground-related enabling activities required to prepare the site for construction, including species relocation, remediation services, site clearance, site establishment, construction utilities, and supporting infrastructure—such as drainage and haul roads to support bulk earthworks. “Together, these early works establish correct ground levels, and create safe access routes for subsequent phases, and will provide the foundational physical platform needed to de‑risk, mobilise, and accelerate the main works programme. “GBE-N had previously considered splitting these packages into two, but has decided to consolidate into one package to minimise interface risk.” The nuclear body added a caveat that “the positions and timelines presented are based on current information and assumptions. As programme maturity develops and further validation is undertaken, scope, dates, values and sequencing may change”. GBE-N’s commercial pipeline also lists a contract for “specialist scope” for Molf, with an estimated cost of £170M to £340M and an estimated procurement start date of Q1 2028. The Molf contract is for the “design, construction and operations of the marine off-loading facility” which is intended to “streamline the movement of large, heavy, or high‑volume materials, plant and equipment—such as precast components, steelwork, aggregates, or plant—directly into the project’s supply chain.” It adds: “By offloading materials close to the point of use, the facility reduces road haulage, lowers congestion, improves safety, and supports just‑in‑time delivery to construction sites.” Another contract potentially of interest to the civil engineering and infrastructure sector is “associated developments”, which encompasses “key off-site works including civil, structural, architectural, MEP and operations works”. It is valued at £70M to £140M and has an estimated procurement start date of Q1 2028. Like what you've read? To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. Have your say or a new account to join the discussion.