Poland Approves Construction of First Nuclear Power Plant

The Ministry of Climate and Environment of Poland has given the green light for the construction of the country's first nuclear power plant.

This was reported in a statement by the Polish government.

"On July 11, 2023, the Minister of Climate and Environment, at the request of Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ), issued a fundamental decision that officially confirmed that investment in the first nuclear power plant in Poland is in the public interest and the policy pursued by the state, including energy policy. This document entitles PEJ to apply for further administrative decisions, e.g. the location and subsequent building permit. It is also a milestone that leads to positive changes in Poland's energy balance and improves the country's energy security," the statement said.

The application submitted by PEJ in April included a description of the investment characteristics, its maximum total installed capacity, planned operating time and the technology that is expected to be used to build the first nuclear power plant in Poland. The documentation is in line with the assumptions of strategic government documents, in particular the resolution of the Council of Ministers of November 2, 2022, which indicated the need to build a nuclear power plant with a capacity of up to 3750 MW in Choczewo or Gniejno and the Krokowa Commune, based on the US AP1000 reactor technology. The planned investment is the implementation of the Polish nuclear energy program, is consistent with Poland's energy policy until 2040 and meets the goals of the European Union's climate policy.

The first nuclear power plant located in Pomerania will compensate for the projected increase in electricity demand, affect the stability of energy supply and diversification of energy sources, and thus ensure energy sovereignty, which is crucial - especially for the Central and Eastern European region.

It is worth recalling that according to a study commissioned by the Ministry of Climate and Environment in November 2022, as many as 86% of Poles support the construction of nuclear power plants in Poland. At the same time, more than 70% of respondents would agree that such a power plant should be built near their place of residence. The Polish nuclear power program envisages the final construction of 6-9 GW of installed capacity based on large proven pressurized water reactors.

Earlier it became known that Poland has chosen the American company Westinghouse to build its first nuclear power plant, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.

"We confirm that our nuclear power project will use reliable and safe technology," the Prime Minister said.

Westinghouse won the construction tender, which was also attended by the French concern EDF and South Korea's KHNP.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm welcomed the decision.

"This is a huge step in strengthening our relationship with Poland for future generations," she said.

Grenholm said that Poland had chosen Westinghouse to implement the first part of its $40 billion nuclear project, without specifying the amount of investment.

As The Gaze reported,  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has once again warned of possible threats from Russia around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Zelensky said that Moscow was provoking Ukraine by planting explosives at the plant.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is also concerned about the safety of Zaporizhzhia NPP after it was cut off from power on July 4.

President of Ukraine called Russia the "only source of danger" to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest in Europe, which was seized and occupied by Russian troops 16 months ago. The Russian occupiers are installing explosive devices and shelling the area of nuclear power plant. They also held ZNPP employees hostage.