The Polish government is investing the equivalent of nearly $16 billion to fund the Eastern European nation’s first nuclear power plant.
The announcement follows reports that the country would seek approval from the European Commission of its plan to finance the plant (state aid given to companies by member states must comply with European Union rules on fair competition).
“This week I will sign an official request to the European Commission, starting the notification process,” said Maciej Bando, deputy climate minister in charge of strategic energy infrastructure, earlier this month.
The project is being implemented by Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ), a company owned by the Polish state, at the Choczewo commune site in Pomerania, according to an official press release.
Bechtel
U.S. firms Bechtel and Westinghouse Electric Company are also involved in the build. Bechtel is reportedly designing and building the plant, as well as delivering three AP1000 pressurized water reactors in partnership with Westinghouse.
“Energy security is national security. The United States is proud to be Poland’s closest partner, and most trusted friend, in the clean energy transition,” said Mark Brzezinski, U.S. Ambassador to Poland.
“Poland’s selection of Westinghouse and Bechtel – two gold standard American companies – to advance the country’s civil nuclear power program brings energy security to the core of our collaboration.”
Bechtel signed agreements with Gdansk University of Technology and Warsaw University of Technology earlier this year to launch nuclear energy career development programs with the intention of preparing the workforce for Poland’s emerging nuclear power industry.
The U.S. Department of Energy has also established a regional training center for clean energy technologies in Warsaw.
Craig Albert, Bechtel president and COO, said the “historic” project would “strengthen [Poland’s] energy independence while also creating enormous economic opportunity, including new jobs, the training of a skilled nuclear power workforce, and the establishment of a supply chain with substantial participation by Polish companies.”
Newsweek has approached Bechtel for comment via online contact form, and Polish authorities via email.
There are currently four AP1000 reactors operational in China with eight more under construction. Bechtel says there will be 18 nuclear power unites based on AP1000 technology in operation globally by the end of the decade, with the technology under consideration at multiple sites around the world, including in the U.K., India, and North America.
“With the AP1000 design, Poland has selected the most advanced, proven technology already setting operational records in six operational units with another 12 planned to operate before the end of the decade,” said Patrick Fragman, Westinghouse president and CEO.
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