Power & Operations

Ex-Im Bank, Poland sign MOU on U.S. energy investment

December 21, 2020, 7:01AMNuclear News

Polish Minister of Climate and Environment Michał Kurtyka (left) and Ex-Im Chairman Kimberly Reed sign an MOU on U.S. energy investment in Poland on December 11. Photo: EXIM

In another sign of U.S. interest in helping Poland develop a civil nuclear power program, the Export-Import Bank of the United States announced last week that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Polish government to promote U.S. energy investment in the Central European nation. (For an earlier agreement, see here.)

The MOU was signed in Warsaw on December 11 by Ex-Im president and chairman, Kimberly A. Reed, and Poland’s minister of climate and environment, Michał Kurtyka, during Reed’s three-day visit to Poland.

The Ex-Im: As the official export credit agency of the United States, Ex-Im provides loans, loan guarantees, and insurance to foreign customers purchasing U.S. exports.

The MOU particulars: The MOU calls for Ex-Im and Poland to “explore and identify potential opportunities for Ex-Im financing and to work together to promote business development opportunities related to strategic energy projects and programs,” according to Ex-Im’s announcement. The agreement includes, but is not limited to, support for projects in nuclear energy, in particular in support of strategic projects under Poland’s nuclear power program, low- and zero-emission technologies, clean energy innovation, and critical energy infrastructure, including cybersecurity solutions.

Back in business: “While in Warsaw, I had a very productive discussion with Minister Kurtyka and am excited to announce this memorandum of understanding with Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment [MCE],” Reed said. “Ex-Im is committed to enhancing the economic cooperation between our two countries, and the MOU will affirm our commitment to strategic energy projects in Poland, including nuclear and clean energy innovation projects, that could be supported with U.S. goods and services. As [U.S. ambassador to Poland] Georgette Mosbacher says, ‘The United States is back in the nuclear business,’ and Ex-Im and MCE intend to work together to promote investment and business development opportunities in strategic energy sectors, leading to potential benefits for U.S. and Polish workers and businesses.”

Kurtyka added, “This signed memorandum is another step towards tightening cooperation between Poland and the United States and building a new zero-emission energy system in Poland.”

Tags:
clean energycybersecurityexport-import bankkurtykapolandzero-emission technologies
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