The power plant, which will be built in the Lubiatowo-Kopalino location, will consist of three blocks equipped with AP1000 reactors, each with a net power of 1110 MW. As Martinez Sancho assured, this technology is already fully checked and digitized, which means that the project is ready to implement without the risk of significant changes.
“Technical documentation has undergone the licensing process in the USA and now it can be implemented without any obstacles,” Martinez Sancho emphasized. She also added that the company managed to minimize the risk of any subsequent changes in the documentation that could affect the implementation of the investment.
Modular design
AP1000 reactors, classified as generation III+, are characterized by modular structure. Each block consists of 52 main modules that go to the construction site as ready components. This design, as Westinghouse indicates, accelerates the construction and assembly process, enabling quick implementation of the project. Lou Martinez Sancho pointed out that the company is constantly improving assembly processes, including the use of artificial intelligence, which supports design and research.
There are already six AP1000 reactors in the world – in China and the USA. Thanks to their operation, Poland can draw on experience and conclusions drawn from their use. “We don't start from scratch. We have developed methods that allow effective use of obtained data in the daily work of the Polish project” – emphasized Vice President Westinghouse.
Perspectives for the second nuclear power plant
Westinghouse also declares their willingness to participate in the construction of a second nuclear power plant in Poland, although the partner for this investment has not yet been chosen. The government plans to conduct competitive proceedings. As Lou Martinez Sancho noted, the choice of the same technology would improve the economics of the project, among others due to the effect of scale and purchasing synergies.
“I think that the processes of obtaining permits would also take place more efficiently thanks to previous experiences of both contractors and institutions that give these consent” – pointed out the representative of Westinghouse.
The company is working on subsequent innovations, also in the area of optimization of cooling water consumption. Although this aspect is not crucial in Poland, Westinghouse is developing technologies that can be used in other regions of the world. These solutions include Fan cooling or more effective heat dissipation methods.
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Schedule and meaning of the project
Polish nuclear power plants (Pej), fully controlled by the state, will be responsible for the implementation of the investment in Poland. According to the schedule, the construction of the first reactor will start in 2028, and its commercial operation is to start in 2036. Westinghouse reminds that the preparation of a new nuclear reactor technology is usually needed from 20 to 25 years, but the AP1000 reactor was created thanks to the decades of experience and previous achievements of the company.
The construction of a power plant in Pomerania is not only an important step to ensure the energy stability of the country, but also a milestone in the development of the Polish nuclear energy sector.
