The Polish government has given its approval for the construction of Poland's inaugural nuclear power plant, utilizing US technology. The first reactor is scheduled to commence operations in
2033, as announced by the Minister of Climate and Environment, Anna Moskwa.
Minister Moskwa shared the news on Twitter, stating, "Today we issued a decision-in-principle for the Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe company, which brings us closer to the construction of the first nuclear power plant in our country." She emphasized that nuclear energy would ensure a stable energy supply, diversify energy sources, and strengthen the energy sovereignty of Poland.
The decision-in-principle aligns with state policies, including energy policy, and is a fundamental requirement for nuclear power plant projects, according to the state news agency PAP.
In April, the state utility Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) applied for the decision-in-principle for Poland's inaugural nuclear power station. In a statement, PEJ expressed that obtaining the decision-in-principle represented a significant milestone towards the realization of a nuclear power plant in the Pomorskie province in northern Poland.
In May, the Polish government and PEJ signed an agreement with US nuclear companies Westinghouse and Bechtel for the design and construction of the planned nuclear power plant. The facility will be situated in the villages of Lubiatowo and Kopalino in northern Poland, utilizing Westinghouse's AP1000 reactor technology. Construction is expected to commence in 2026, with the first of three reactors scheduled to be operational by 2033.
Additionally, in April, Poland's state-run energy giant PGE and private energy company ZE PAK formed a joint venture with South Korea's KHNP to construct a nuclear power plant in western Poland.
Poland's nuclear energy policy envisions the creation of six nuclear reactors with a combined installed capacity of 6-9 GW, according to the PAP news agency. Photo by Madziakusz, Wikimedia commons.