Sir Robert McAlpine has been
selected as the main contractor for the construction of the North East Space
Skills and Technology Centre (NESST) at Northumbria University in Newcastle,
England, UK.
Following a preconstruction
services agreement, the £30m ($39.47m) contract covers the demolition of the
existing Wynne Jones building, along with the construction of a new facility
and an extension at the heart of the university campus.
The centre will feature a new
ground floor and six upper levels, covering approximately 900m².
It will house facilities such as
satellite manufacturing clean rooms, advanced prototyping laboratories, a
mission operations centre, and shared workspaces for engagement with companies
in the space manufacturing supply chain.
Construction is ongoing, with
steelwork installation in progress and completion anticipated in late 2026.
Upon completion, NESST is
expected to foster collaboration between industry and academia in space
research and technology, creating more than 350 jobs and contributing over
£260m ($339.41m) to the North East England economy over three decades.
The project has received
significant funding from the UK Space Agency and Lockheed Martin UK Space.
Northumbria University pro
vice-chancellor (International) Professor John Woodward said: "The
appointment of Sir Robert McAlpine marks an exciting milestone in the
development of NESST. The centre will be a game changer - not only for our
students and researchers, but for the region's ambitions in the space and
advanced manufacturing sectors.
"By combining cutting-edge
facilities with strong industry partnerships, we're creating a centre that will
drive innovation, boost economic growth, and put the North East firmly on the
map as a leader in space technology."
Sir Robert McAlpine sector
director Mark Gardham said: "We look forward to continuing our
longstanding, successful relationship with Northumbria University and
delivering this state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Newcastle.
"Our team of experts bring
the engineering excellence necessary to work in such close proximity to vital
transport infrastructure, collaborating closely with our supply chain partners
and local stakeholders to deliver the project safely and efficiently, and make
a positive impact on the local community."
Earlier in January this year, Sir
Robert McAlpine was chosen by Tata Steel as the main works contractor for a £1.25bn investment in
low-carbon steelmaking at the Port Talbot steelworks in the UK.
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