USA, France, Korea or Canada? The government is setting tough conditions for the second power plant

In July, the Ministry of Energy sent invitations to a competitive dialogue regarding the construction of the second nuclear power plant in Poland to the American Westinghouse (AP-1000 reactor), the French EdF (EPR reactor), the Korean KHNP (APR1400 reactor) and the Canadian AtkinsRéalis (CANDU reactor), the Ministry of Energy informed. He added that the talks that have already started will be continued in 2026.

“In the coming weeks, it is planned to complete the process of updating the Polish Nuclear Power Program, in particular in terms of updating the schedule for the construction of the first nuclear power plant, adopting directional arrangements for determining the method of selecting technology and strategic partners for the construction of the second nuclear power plant, as well as taking into account the needs related to the increased burden of tasks on state institutions in the conditions of non-governmental initiatives to build nuclear power plants,” wrote the Ministry of Energy in response to a parliamentary interpellation.

“It is expected that at the turn of 2025/2026, talks with the European Commission regarding the support mechanism and notification of public aid for the first Polish nuclear power plant – EJ1” will be completed – he added.

The Ministry of Energy noted that in response to the interest in SMR technologies, it is planned to be implemented by the end of this year. adoption of a road map for SMR at the Ministry of Energy.

“We continue to take steps to strengthen the competences of the Polish industry to participate in nuclear projects. For this purpose, a dedicated team has started operating at the Ministry of Energy, whose task is to maximize the participation of Polish companies in the nuclear project,” it said.

It was added that the preparation of the Polish industry included, among others, the Industrial Development Agency, the Pomeranian Development Agency, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego and industry associations (IGEOŚ, PZPB, ZOPI, Lewiatan).

The Ministry of Energy, together with the National Center for Research and Development, is also finalizing work on launching the Nukleostrateg strategic research program supporting the implementation of nuclear energy, for which it plans to allocate approximately PLN 500 million.

“In parallel with the continuation of work on EJ1, real activities were started related to the preparation of investments in the second nuclear power plant provided for in PPEJ. In July this year, the Ministry of Energy sent invitations to start a competitive dialogue to the American Westinghouse (AP-1000 reactor), the French EdF (EPR reactor), the Korean KHNP (APR1400 reactor) and the Canadian AtkinsRéalis (reactor CANDU). Talks in this regard have already started and will be continued in 2026,” the ministry wrote.

According to PPEJ, the construction of the first reactor is to begin in 2028 and its commissioning in 2036, while all 6 planned units in two locations are to be commissioned by 2042.

The ME also presented the assumptions of the PPEJ in relation to the second NPP.

1. Equity participation (in the form of equity) of the technology provider or general contractor, at least during the construction phase. This will be a factor motivating the indicated entities to complete the work according to the original schedule and cost estimate. Additionally, it is advisable to include debt financing in the offer (e.g. through export agencies).
2. The selection of technology and general contractor in a competitive manner, which is particularly important and should allow obtaining relatively attractive price and non-price conditions for the implementation of the investment.
3. Significant participation of Polish contractors in the project (so-called local content). This will not only enable obtaining greater economic benefits from the investment, but also the transfer of technology and know-how to Polish companies. Thanks to this, their export possibilities will increase and the costs of building further NPPs in Poland will decrease.
4. Enabling the participation of end users in the ownership of the power plant. These types of solutions have been successfully used for over 50 years in Finland and the USA, and their implementation is also planned in Sweden.

In principle, the necessary control over the nuclear company by the State Treasury will be maintained. According to the published draft update of PPEJ, the preferred location for the construction of the second nuclear power plant will be selected in 2027. (PAP Business)

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