Costain secures five-year EDF contract to support UK nuclear power operations
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Costain has reinforced its position in the UK nuclear sector with a new five-year contract from EDF, valued at £75 million, to continue delivering project controls services at eight nuclear power stations. The agreement, an extension of a longstanding collaboration, underscores Costain’s role in the country’s nuclear decommissioning and power generation landscape.
Since 2017, Costain has worked with EDF under the Project Controls Resources Framework. This latest extension will carry their partnership through to 2030. The contract reflects growing demand for expert programme management and strategic resource planning as the UK moves toward a low-carbon future and manages the transition of aging nuclear sites.
The partnership also speaks to the broader trend of ensuring continuity and efficiency in nuclear operations, especially as EDF begins to shift its focus from power generation to the defueling of Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors. With several UK reactors nearing end-of-life, the need for careful planning and risk management is becoming more prominent.
Supporting the UK’s nuclear shift
EDF has long been a cornerstone of the UK’s nuclear fleet. Its pivot to decommissioning aligns with national energy goals, which include expanding low-carbon electricity while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. In this context, project controls take on greater significance—helping to ensure that transition timelines, budgets and safety benchmarks are met across the sector.
The UK government sees nuclear energy as a stabilising force in its energy transition strategy. EDF’s ongoing operation of Sizewell B, along with plans for Sizewell C, are central to this strategy. At the same time, the wind-down of older facilities brings new technical and operational challenges, which are being met through detailed planning and expert execution.
Costain’s renewed contract will see its teams deliver programme governance, schedule and risk analysis, and performance tracking across hundreds of live projects. Its role is especially critical in the careful shift from operational power plants to defueling and early-stage decommissioning.
Rohan Mulvaney, head of nuclear decommissioning PMO at EDF, highlighted the importance of continuity in this work. “Costain has been a reliable partner to us for many years, and this contract award will support the continued project control services for safe operations and decommissioning activities at our nuclear power stations,” he said.
Delivering at scale and building future talent
Costain’s engagement with EDF now covers more than 400 projects across the UK. These efforts are supported by over 170 project controls professionals, including 50 early-career hires such as trainees and junior team members. This structure allows for the delivery of technical services today while building critical skills for the future.
Costain’s team applies its expertise across areas such as cost efficiency, schedule control and quality assurance—all within the constraints of a highly regulated and safety-critical industry. These disciplines are increasingly essential to ensure long-term compliance and project success.
Bob Anstey, sector director for defense and nuclear energy at Costain, sees the expanded framework as a sign of trust and alignment. “We’ve been a trusted partner to EDF since 2017, during which time we have consistently delivered and increased the breadth of our services,” he said. “We’ll continue to deliver projects across a range of complex working environments to the highest safety standards, while supporting the development of skills in the sector to help futureproof the workforce and support local prosperity.”
Workforce development has become a key strategic concern in the UK nuclear sector. With experienced engineers retiring and new technologies emerging, the industry needs to nurture future talent. Costain’s investment in junior professionals addresses this head-on, preparing a new generation to take on challenges in nuclear, infrastructure and beyond.
Broadening its nuclear footprint
The EDF extension is part of a wider expansion of Costain’s nuclear footprint. The company has recently won contracts to deliver infrastructure upgrades at Sellafield and decommissioning services at Trawsfynydd in North Wales. It is also contributing to the design of Urenco’s advanced nuclear fuels production facility in Cheshire and providing expertise to the development of Sizewell C.
Together, these projects place Costain at the centre of the UK’s civil nuclear effort. The firm’s capabilities in engineering, programme delivery and safety systems have made it a trusted delivery partner for some of the most complex and sensitive infrastructure in the country.
While much public attention focuses on nuclear new-builds like Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, the bulk of today’s work remains in safely managing existing assets. From asset life extension to decommissioning, the sector demands precision, adaptability and long-term thinking.
Costain’s sustained relationship with EDF positions it to deliver these outcomes at scale. By combining technical expertise with a forward-looking approach to workforce development and sustainability, the company is helping to secure the future of nuclear power in the UK.
As the country’s energy mix evolves and older facilities step into retirement, trusted partnerships like this one will be essential in bridging legacy infrastructure with tomorrow’s energy systems. Costain’s five-year renewal with EDF confirms its role in this national transition.
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