Sellafield Ltd reported on 18 August 2026 that the SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP) had reached 75% completion after a series of major crane lifts at the Sellafield site. The new plant was described as on track to begin operations in 2029, and the main buildings were finished and protected from the weather.

Recent work included moving 14 pump and valve modules into position, each weighing 16 tonnes, and installing a 55-tonne gantry crane spanning 21 metres. Attention was said to be focused on fitting out the interior and installing specialist equipment. Once complete, SCP is intended to take over work carried out by the current Site Ion Exchange Effluent Plant, which has operated since 1985 and removes radioactive material from site water before it is discharged to sea.

The plant is expected to continue that work until at least 2060 in support of Sellafield's clean-up programme. The project is being delivered through the Programme and Project Partners, which the report said was marking seven years of delivery; it was established in 2019.