The nuclear power plant in Pomerania is accelerating. Marek Woszczyk on the role of Polish companies
On Wednesday, the conference “Atom – prospects and participation of the Polish industry”, organized by PEJ, took place in Gdańsk. The event attracted representatives of business, state and local government administration and experts, and its aim was to encourage Polish enterprises to participate in the construction of a nuclear power plant in the Choczewo commune in Pomerania.
Read also: Building a nuclear power plant with the Turks and Koreans? Re-Polonization in practice
Nuclear power plant. Growing share of Polish companies in investment
Pomeranian Voivode Beata Rutkiewicz pointed out that the project is not limited only to the construction of reactors. As she emphasized, the investment will cover a wide spectrum of services and economic sectors, which creates opportunities for various industries. She also pointed out the need to properly prepare staff, both at the secondary and higher education levels, to meet the requirements of this ambitious undertaking.
PEJ President Marek Woszczyk emphasized the strategic importance of the project for the Polish economy and the Pomeranian region. He also presented details of the work schedule: the first nuclear concrete is to be poured in 2028, and the commissioning of three power plant units is planned for 2038. Woszczyk emphasized that the company is trying to implement the project on time and within the assumed budget, while involving Polish enterprises to the maximum possible extent. He also added that nearly 400 companies from Poland are already participating in the project, and the value of their contracts amounted to almost PLN 1 billion.
Read also: Bełchatów is at the forefront of the race for the second nuclear power plant. Decision in 2027
Financing and supporting infrastructure
Financing the investment is to be based on own contribution from the state budget (30%) and debt (70%), part of which will be provided by Polish financial institutions. Woszczyk noted that talks with domestic banks on this matter were ongoing. At the same time, the president of PEJ emphasized that the company, together with consortium members Westinghouse and Bechtel, is working on solutions that will enable Polish companies to participate in the implementation of both the main nuclear part and the accompanying infrastructure.
The Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Mieczysław Struk, drew attention to the challenges related to the implementation of the project. Among them, he mentioned the need to modernize road and transport infrastructure, prepare medical facilities and build housing estates for up to 10,000 people. workers during the peak construction period. He also emphasized that the investment requires dialogue with local communities, especially in the context of concerns about the impact on tourism in coastal communes.
Read also: The largest nuclear research institute in Poland has an agreement with the Americans
Support programs and competence development
Deputy Minister of State Assets, Eliza Zeidler, presented a support program for Polish enterprises interested in cooperation in the construction of power plants. As she informed, the Industrial Development Agency has launched the “Atom without Barriers” program, which offers a package of financial tools for companies willing to engage in investment implementation.
Director of the nuclear energy department at the Ministry of Energy, Paweł Gajda, reminded that the aim of the Polish Nuclear Energy Program is not only the construction of power plants, but also the development of the entire nuclear sector in the country. He noted that nuclear power plants are intended not only to increase Poland's energy security, but also to become an innovative impulse for the economy, especially in the regions where they will be built.
He also added that the government plenipotentiary for strategic energy infrastructure has a local content team that cooperates with business organizations and state institutions. As part of this cooperation, the “Atom without Barriers” program has already been launched, and it is also planned to create a competence center that will support the development of human resources and training for the needs of the nuclear program.
Polish Nuclear Power Plants, fully owned by the State Treasury, is the investor and future operator of the power plant in the Lubiatowo-Kopalino location. The project involves the construction of three blocks using Westinghouse's AP1000 technology, and the contractor will be the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium. The first unit is scheduled to begin commercial operation in 2036.
