Industry Ministry: Construction of a nuclear power plant without delays in the main schedule

There were no delays in the basic scope of the implementation of the ESC agreement with Westinghouse -Bechtel, delays occur only in part of the additional works – the Ministry of Industry said in response to a parliamentary interpellation. He also stated that employment in a Pej company increased in 2024 by 23 percent.

“There were no delays in the basic scope of the ESC contract. In turn, the EDA agreement was concluded just to avoid delays in the implementation of the design process, and the negotiations of the EPC agreement will be conducted in parallel to its implementation in order to maintain the investment schedule” – wrote the Ministry of Industry, asked about possible delay relative to the start of the construction of a nuclear power plant planned for 2028.

When asked about delays in the implementation of the original ESC agreement with Westinghouse-Bechtel signed on September 27, 2023, the ministry announced that the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium provided all products from the basic scope of the contract.

“Delays occur only in part of additional works, activated as optional activities, over the basic scope of the contract, in the field of geotechnical research and related products” – it was indicated.

It has been added that the contractor has taken actions aimed at minimizing field research delays, i.e. 24 -hour work and introducing additional equipment.

“98.3 percent of drilling works were carried out. The company (PEJ) monitors the implementation of tasks by the Westinghouse -Bechtel consortium for timely implementation of the project” – emphasized.

MP reminded that on April 28 a bridging agreement was signed (EDA) with the American consortium, which specifies the provisions guaranteeing effective and at the same time consistent with legal standards of the cooperation of Pej with the consortium Westinghouse -Bechtel until the end of 2025.

It has been added that the EDA agreement will introduce the ESC agreement with, among others A partial change in the remuneration model, improving the investor's supervision over the implementation of the contract and receiving procedures of the completed products, which results, among others from the experience of the implementation of the ESC contract.

It was noted that this contract would allow for more advanced work on the technical design of the power plant, continuing cooperation in obtaining permits and permits, and the development of the supply chain.

“Currently, internal work is underway at the Polish Power Plant Power Plant before the negotiations of the EPC agreement. It is also worth noting that some of the already developed contract solutions will be explicitly transferred from the EDA contract to the contract for the implementation of the power plant, which should reduce the time of negotiations” – the Ministry of Industry said.

At the same time, it indicated that the conclusion of the EPC agreement, which will be the appropriate implementation agreement, depends on the receipt of the European Commission's decision regarding the support mechanism and the recapitalization of the Pej company by the State Treasury (PLN 60 billion).

The Ministry of Industry also announced that in 2024 employment in Pej increased by 23 percent, and in technical and nuclear areas by over 40 percent.

“The company is constantly recruiting to ensure the competences necessary to implement the construction of the first nuclear power plant. Recently, highly specialized experts from the nuclear industry from Europe and Canada have been obtained for cooperation, who support the company in the implementation of this project” – it was indicated.

The power plant in Pomerania is to have three reactors built in the AP1000 technology of the American company Westinghouse with a total power of 3.75 GW. In the notification application to the European Commission, the government determined the investment costs at PLN 192 billion.

The current from the first reactor is to flow in 2036 (PAP Biznes)

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