Orlen Synthos Green Energy, a company owned by Michał Sołowow and Orlen, submitted a formal application to the Ministry of Energy for notification of state aid by the European Commission. The application concerns contracts for difference for 14 BWRX-300 reactor units, which are to be built in three locations: in Włocławek, Stawy Monowskie near Oświęcim and in Stalowa Wola. According to Kasprow, without support in the form of such contracts, the investment would be impossible.
The President of OSGE pointed out that differences in prices of contracts for difference result from local conditions. The estimated expenditure on the construction of one block is approximately EUR 2 billion, although the final amount will depend on many factors, including the number of blocks being built in a given location. Kasprów also emphasized that the proposed prices are attractive and acceptable for large customers, such as data centers.
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The first unit in Włocławek
The BWRX-300 technology, developed by GE Vernova-Hitachi, belongs to the category of small modular reactors (SMR) and has a power of 300 MWe. The first reactor of this type is currently being built at the Canadian Darlington power plant for OPG. In Poland, the first unit is to be launched in Włocławek, at the Anwil plant, and Orlen plans to have two BWRX-300 units by 2035.
Investments in SMR technology are part of Orlen's strategy aimed at transforming the Polish energy sector. Proceedings are already underway to issue environmental decisions for the indicated locations. If the company's plans are realized, Poland will become one of the leaders in the use of modern modular reactors in Europe.
