Poland to Construct World's First Small Nuclear Reactor Park Across Six Sites by 2030 with US Funding

Poland's Minister of Climate and Environment issued six key permits today for the construction of six nuclear energy facilities utilizing BWRX-30 technology. The permits were granted to Orlen Synthos Green Energy, as reported by Polskie Radio.

In early November, it was announced that Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) was included in the strategic US Phoenix program and would receive funding from the US State Department to accelerate the construction of small nuclear reactors in Poland. The program aims to support the energy transformation process in Central Europe by building small modular reactors instead of coal power plants.

According to the ministry, the decisions pertain to the following locations: Wloclawek, Stawy Monowskie, Stalowa Wola, Ostroleka, Nowa Huta, and Dombrowa Gornicza. These permits were issued at the request of companies belonging to Orlen Synthos Green Energy.

"This is very good news for Poles and the Polish economy because SMR ensures cheap energy and heat for cities," wrote Orlen CEO Daniel Obajtek on Thursday on social media.

OSGE's mission involves establishing a BWRX-300 reactor park from the American-Japanese company GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy. These reactors will become a crucial part of the country's energy balance, providing households and industries with stable electricity with zero carbon dioxide emissions.

This decision formally confirms that the investment aligns with societal interests and the state's energy policy. The decision also specifies permitted investment parameters for the construction of atomic energy facilities and grants the right to apply for a location determination permit and the implementation of other necessary steps.

The Polish government aims to expedite the gradual phase-out of coal and plans to build infrastructure for renewable and nuclear energy to address climate change issues and ensure stable energy supply. According to TVP World, the construction involves 24 new small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) across six sites. Orlen Synthos Green Energy plans to deploy the first small reactors in Poland by 2030.