| Power plant products


Sellafield reaches new robotics milestone


On 18 Mar 2025 the AtkinsRéalis and Sellafield Ltd remote technology group in the UK successfully trialled the distant operation of a robot, an industry-first milestone that demonstrates the potential of virtual site access on nuclear licensed sites to promote safety and security. AtkinsRéalis has been working at Sellafield to deploy a customised Boston Dynamics Spot quadrupedal robotic ‘dog’ on site, working alongside employees to inspect areas, capture data and carry out tasks in hazardous areas for the last two years. This trial successfully established highly secure networks and tested the ability to operate robotics like Spot on site, remotely, from a location outside the site licence boundary.


AtkinsRéalis worked closely with Sellafield Ltd’s remote technology group to put in place the necessary digital and cyber protocols to enable safe and secure operation. Pete Allport, head of Remote Technology at Sellafield, operated Spot from an immersive room in nearby Whitehaven, live-streaming footage from a non-critical area on the site.


This kind of virtual site access is already deployed by AtkinsRéalis for major construction projects to record and view footage across sophisticated and secure networks for teams


across locations.


Richard Brook, Technology Solutions Lead for Decommissioning at AtkinsRéalis, said: “Sellafield Ltd has pioneered the adoption of technology across its operations … virtual site access is already being used in the delivery of major infrastructure programmes: this trial is a big step towards unlocking its benefits for nuclear licensed sites without compromising safety or security.” The UK’s NDA group is utilising technology and innovation to transform how nuclear decommissioning is delivered and this approach could be applied across other nuclear licensed sites to deliver benefits across the wider NDA group.


Deon Bulman, ROV Equipment Programme lead at Sellafield Ltd said “This successful trial marks a significant milestone in our journey towards integrating advanced robotics into our operations at Sellafield. The ability to remotely operate robotic systems like Spot demonstrates how digital innovation can enhance safety, efficiency, and decision-making on nuclear- licensed sites … with this collaboration we are exploring cutting-edge solutions that not only support our decommissioning mission but also pave the way for future advancements in remote operations.”


Gremista connection project


The ongoing Gremista connection project to connect Shetland’s local electricity network on these islands to the north of Scotland to the


national grid has reached a major milestone following the arrival of two new transformers – the largest components in the project. Each


weighs around 59 tonnes, and the two were delivered to the Gremista team earlier this month.


The two units arrived in Lerwick harbour’s Greenhead Base before being loaded onto a multi-axle vehicle by specialist haulier RRS, before being transported to their final location at the new Gremista grid supply point (GSP). Mark Kelly, deputy project director for SSEN Transmission: “Once this link is complete, it will form the crucial land connection between the Shetland HVDC link to the GB mainland and the local Shetland grid supply point here at Gremista, connecting Shetland to the GB energy system for the first time.” SSEN Transmission’s Gremista to Kergord connection project involves creating a 22 km connection between the new Gremista GSP and the Kergord substation, which was completed in 2024 as part of the Shetland HVDC link, using a combination of overhead line and underground cabling.


The link is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with Shetland fully connected to the mainland national grid following the commissioning, testing and energisation of SSEN Distribution’s standby solution in the first half of 2026.


www.modernpowersystems.com | April 2025 | 41 Major milestone for


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