BAM Nuttall and Sweco in new partnership to upgrade British research Antarctic stations

Commissioned by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), this new partnership provides the framework to deliver a wide range of sustainable construction projects. Over the next decade, projects could include new scientific support buildings, laboratories, accommodation, upgraded recycling and waste management facilities, and runway enhancements. The partnership will also explore renewable energy options and decarbonisation.

Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of British Antarctic Survey said: ‘Building on the successful delivery of new wharves to support the RRS Sir David Attenborough, and existing project to deliver a new science operations facility at Rothera Research Station, our ambition is to continue to replace aging buildings with modern, highly insulated and energy-efficient infrastructure. It is our world-leading research that underlines the urgency to cut the emission of greenhouse gases and we are rising to the challenge. We will move away from our reliance on carbon fossil fuels to sustain our Antarctic buildings, and aim to scale-up our use of renewable energy sources. A blueprint or ‘masterplan’ to rationalise our Antarctic infrastructure and significantly reduce our carbon emissions will shortly be completed with technical advisors Ramboll. This new partnership with BAM and Sweco brings together innovation, design and technical capability that will enable us to meet our goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040 if not before.’

Adrian Savory, Chief Executive of BAM Nuttall, said: ‘We’re delighted BAM Nuttall has been awarded the opportunity to continue collaborating on this world-leading modernisation programme. The partnership with clients UKRI-NERC, and construction partners, BAM, Sweco, Ramboll, and a range of innovative suppliers, is an exciting one. We’re looking forward to combining our expertise, and using the strength of our shared values, to deliver outstanding solutions. We will continue to maximise digital technologies and modularisation to support safe, predictable and sustainable outcomes, achieving BAS’s goal to decarbonise research operations in Antarctica.’

Max Joy, President of Sweco UK, said: ‘We’re exceptionally proud to be continuing our work in Antarctica and applying our expertise in cold climate construction to support this critical project. The progress highlights the strength of our partnership and our combined skillsets have enabled the creation of a true polar centre of excellence. The team has championed sustainable practices at every stage of the project and introduced world-class, energy efficiency solutions across the polar research facilities at Rothera. We will continue to push the boundaries of engineering, construction and design through the next stage, which we hope will inspire the next generation of engineers.’

This is the second successful bid involving BAM and Sweco for a partnership contract with UKRI organisations NERC and BAS within Antarctica. The Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) includes construction lead BAM, their designers Sweco and technical advisors Ramboll; it began in 2017 with the construction of a new jetty and buildings at Bird Island. Successes for the programme also include two new wharves at King Edward Point in South Georgia and at Rothera to berth the RRS Sir David Attenborough. Groundworks for a new scientific support facility at Rothera were recently completed this month.

Construction in Antarctica is extremely challenging, all materials need to be shipped from the UK and the planning process needs to be meticulously planned to account for every nut and bolt as the nearest builders’ merchant is thousands of miles away.

Read more about the current Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP). The programme aims to keep the UK at the forefront of climate, biodiversity and ocean research: www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/antarctic-infrastructure-projects

About British Antarctic Survey

British Antarctic Survey (BAS), an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council (UKRI-NERC)*, delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Its skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth and our impact on it.

Through its extensive logistic capability and know-how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure, help sustain a world-leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. The UK is one of over thirty countries operating scientific research facilities in Antarctica. More information: www.bas.ac.uk

*NERC is part of UK Research and Innovation

About BAM Nuttall

Along with BAM Construct in the UK, and BAM Contractors in Ireland, is part of Royal BAM Group. BAM delivers exceptional engineering, design, construction, property management, and investment services. The Group, turnover £7 billion annually, is listed on Euronext, Amsterdam. 

BAM Nuttall, employing approximately 3,000 people, has a worldwide reputation for collaborating with clients, creating sustainable environments that enhance people's lives. Our projects span the UK, and we’re involved in international partnerships including Africa, Australia and Antarctica. BAM people capitalise their knowledge, across multiple sectors including rail, marine, tunnelling, highways, energy, and water - using state-of-the-art resources and digital technologies to provide innovative solutions. www.bamnuttall.co.uk

About Sweco

Sweco plans and designs the sustainable communities and cities of the future. Together with our clients and the collective knowledge of our 17,500 architects, engineers and other specialists, we co-create solutions to address urbanisation, capture the power of digitalisation, and make our societies more sustainable. Sweco is Europe’s leading engineering and architecture consultancy, with sales of approximately SEK 21 billion (€ 2 billion). The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. In the UK and Ireland, Sweco offers engineering, design and regulatory services. www.sweco.co.uk

Further information

• British Antarctic Survey: Livia Oldland, Corporate and Internal Communications Manager, livand@bas.ac.uk;
• BAM Nuttall: Abigail Rowland,  Head of Communications, abigail.rowland@bamnuttall.co.uk;
• Sweco: Heather Astin, Head of Communications, +44 07734 769 414, heather.astin@sweco.co.uk.