Daijiworld Media Network- Warsaw
Warsaw, Apr 29: In a significant move towards energy transformation, Poland has taken a major stride by advancing plans for its first-ever nuclear power plant. Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe (PEJ), the state-owned enterprise tasked with the project, on Monday signed a fresh Engineering Development Agreement (EDA) with the American consortium Westinghouse-Bechtel.
The new EDA, which replaces the earlier Engineering Service Contract that expired in April, will focus on detailed design work, acquiring critical administrative clearances, and conducting extensive geological surveys at the proposed site in Choczewo, northern Poland.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who witnessed the signing alongside US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, highlighted that the renegotiated agreement strengthens the investment’s security across 16 critical areas.
“This initial investment has been secured through a new and improved agreement," Tusk stated, noting that the revisions make the project more beneficial for Poland. “Thanks to modifications across these areas, the guarantees provided now give us a greater sense of security for this historic investment,” he added.
The agreement sets the stage for further cooperation between PEJ and the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium, paving the way for crucial administrative decisions, licensing, and preparations for construction at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino location in northern Poland.
A major construction contract is also on the horizon, pending the European Commission’s approval of a 60 billion zloty (€14 billion) government financing package designated for PEJ.
Expressing optimism about future cooperation, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said, “I believe this marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration. Together, Poland and the United States will build more nuclear reactors, not just here but across Europe, developing valuable expertise among Polish workers through this partnership.”
The project envisions the deployment of the Westinghouse AP1000 reactor technology, known for its advanced safety and efficiency features. Construction is slated to commence in 2028, with the first reactor expected to be operational by 2035 and full integration into the national power grid by 2036.