Is Poland Moving Forward with Its First Nuclear Power Plant?

Warsaw, April 28 (NationPress) Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe (PEJ), the state-owned entity tasked with managing the construction of Poland's inaugural nuclear power facility, has entered into a new Engineering Development Agreement (EDA) on Monday with the American consortium Westinghouse-Bechtel to propel the next stage of the endeavor.

The EDA, which supersedes the former Engineering Service Contract that lapsed in April, encompasses comprehensive design work, the acquisition of administrative approvals, and the progression of geological surveys at the Choczewo site in northern Poland.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who was present at the signing alongside US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, remarked that crucial aspects of the new agreement were renegotiated across 16 areas to bolster investment security, as reported by Xinhua.

"This initial investment has been secured through a new and enhanced agreement," Tusk stated following the meeting.

He noted that the terms of the deal had been reassessed under his administration, which took office in late 2023 after the nuclear initiative was publicized, ensuring it was more advantageous for Poland.

"Thanks to adjustments in 16 areas, this investment is becoming more secure, and the assurances provide us with a sense of safety for this investment," Tusk emphasized.

The EDA establishes the foundation for ongoing collaboration between PEJ and the consortium following the conclusion of the existing Engineering Service Contract.

It includes design work, obtaining administrative decisions, licenses, and permits, as well as further geological assessments at the project site in Lubiatowo-Kopalino, northern Poland.

The two parties are also preparing to finalize a construction contract, awaiting the European Commission's endorsement of a 60 billion zloty (€14 billion) government financing package allocated for PEJ.

"I believe this will also signify the beginning of extensive collaboration between Poland and the US in this sector, and we will construct more nuclear reactors, both in Poland and across Europe, as we possess the necessary expertise, which Polish workers will acquire through collaboration with American partners," stated US Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

PEJ, the project investor and future operator, plans to utilize Westinghouse AP1000 reactor technology.

Construction of the plant is set to commence in 2028, with the first reactor anticipated to be operational by 2035, and full integration into the national power grid expected by 2036.