Rothera Research Station to receive upgrade

The construction and civil engineering company BAM Nuttall has been appointed to carry out a demanding engineering project at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Rothera Research Station over the course of the current austral summer (November through to May).

The modernisation of the Rothera Research Station will involve a team of 40 specialist construction workers from BAM Nuttall installing a new 74m long wharf as well as laying the ground work for a new 2,700sq m science and operations building, with the works mainly being in preparation for the facility to berth the RRS Sir David Attenborough.

The main considerations being taken throughout the construction process of the new and improved facilities at the research station are to improve the operational efficiency of the station while also reducing the amount of fossil fuels it consumes to function on a day-to-day basis.

The facility will be fitted with heat recovery generators, photovoltaic solar panels, and enhanced insulation to improve energy efficiency whereas the new wharf will include a crane (to easily launch small science boats), a personnel gangway, and a floating pontoon (for the deployment of scientific instruments).

The Project Manager at BAM Nuttall, Martha McGowan stated: “Having been to the naming ceremony for the RRS Sir David Attenborough earlier this year, it helped put our second build season into perspective. It will be a busy season, but we recognise the importance of our projects in helping BAS continue to deliver frontier science.”

The Senior Infrastructure Programme Manager at British Antarctic Survey, David Seaton added: “After many months of planning we are looking forward to achieving two key milestones at Rothera. These two projects; the wharf and modernisation are critical to reducing operating costs, improving efficiency and keep the research stations meeting the needs of BAS personnel to facilitate world-leading research for the future.”

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