Actemium UK secures contract to modernise control system at Sellafield

The project brings together mechanical, automation and electrical engineering expertise from across the UK business to enhance nuclear safety

[13 April 2026 - UK] – Actemium UK has been awarded a £5.7 million contract to design and build a new Distributed Control System (DCS) for the Waste Packaging & Encapsulation Plant (WPEP) at Sellafield Ltd.’s nuclear waste processing and decommissioning site in Cumbria.

 

The WPEP plays a vital role in the safe management of radioactive waste by mixing it with a cement-based material and encapsulating it in steel drums for long-term storage. The project will replace the plant’s original DCS – installed in the 1980s – with a modern Rockwell Automation-based system, ensuring continued safe operation while improving reliability and control.

 

Delivered by experts from across the Actemium UK businesses, the programme includes hardware and software upgrades, system configuration, and the development of a simulation model for rigorous testing both in the factory and onsite. The new system will closely align with the existing interface to minimise operator training and streamline the transition. The scope also includes operator training and full commissioning support to ensure a seamless transition and reliable long-term operation.

 

“Our Actemium business units have nearly 40 years’ experience successfully supporting projects at Sellafield and other nuclear sites across the UK,” said Aidan McManus, Head of Project Delivery at Actemium Design UK. “Our breadth of capability, proven track record, and ability to deliver end-to-end solutions under strict compliance standards were critical to securing this project. It reinforces our position as a trusted partner to the nuclear sector, capable of delivering complex, safety-critical projects.”

 

The project began in March 2026 and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2028.

 

Recognising the long-term need to develop the next generation of engineers for the nuclear industry, Actemium UK has committed to supporting a range of STEM initiatives in West Cumbria as part of this contract. These initiatives include providing a STEM ambassador to a local school, mentoring and funding school teams to participate in the FIRST LEGO League, supporting sustainability projects through the Leading Change Campaign, and introducing 3D-printing technology at the new ‘LEVELS’ Digital Gaming Hub in Whitehaven.