Westinghouse to build Poland’s first nuclear reactors; KHNP may get separate deal

A location in northern Poland near the Baltic coast, Lubiatowo-Kopalino, was selected last December as the preferred site for the nation’s first foray into nuclear power. Lubiatowo-Kopalino is approximately 40 miles northwest of Gdansk, the capital of Poland’s Pomeranian province.

U.S. reaction: “This is a HUGE step in strengthening our relationship with Poland to create energy security for future generations to come,” Secretary Granholm tweeted, following Morawiecki’s announcement. “We are excited to continue this partnership to drive forward a clean-energy transition with our counterparts in Europe. This announcement also sends a clear message to Russia: We will not let them weaponize energy any longer. The West will stand together against this unprovoked aggression, while also diversifying energy supply chains and bolstering climate cooperation.”

Meanwhile: According to this Reuters report, KHNP has signed a letter of intent to build a nuclear power plant in central Poland.

Background: In February 2021, Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment announced the official adoption of the Energy Policy of Poland until 2040 (PEP2040), originally published in draft form in November 2018 and revised the following year.

In its announcement, the ministry described PEP2040 as “a clear vision of Poland’s energy transformation strategy” and “a compass for entrepreneurs, local governments, and citizens in the transformation of the Polish economy toward low emission.” By 2040, the document states, more than half of Poland’s installed capacity will be zero-emission sources, adding that offshore wind energy and nuclear energy “will play a special role” in reaching that goal.

PEP2040 contains eight specific objectives, one of which is the implementation of nuclear power. According to the document, Poland will launch its first nuclear power reactor in 2033, with a capacity of 1.0 to 1.6 GW. Additional units are to be “implemented” every two to three years after that. The nuclear program envisions the construction of six units by 2043.