The new partnership clears the way for a wide range of sustainable construction projects.

These are set to 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.

“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.”

It is the second successful bid involving BAM and Sweco. In 2017 the partners built 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.