Green and clean renewable energy is the only way for the world's energy development. A few days ago, the Polish PEJ Power Company submitted an application to the Polish Ministry of Climate, requiring the latter to make an in-principle decision on the construction of the country's first large-scale nuclear power plant. Meanwhile, Poland's Orlen Synthos Green Energy announced seven potential sites for the country's first small reactor (SMR) project.

According to reports, the decision in principle will confirm the national policies applicable to large-scale nuclear power projects, as well as factors such as investment interests. The decision is a prerequisite for PEJ to apply for site permits, construction permits and other activities.

The application documents submitted by PEJ this time include the maximum installed capacity of the proposed reactor, the planned commercial operation time and the technical details of the power plant construction. In November 2022, the Polish Council of Ministers decided that it was necessary to build Westinghouse AP1000 units in Choczewo, Gniewino or Krokowa, with a total installed capacity of 3750MWe.

In November 2022, the Polish government selected Westinghouse as the supplier for the country's first nuclear power plant. In February 2023, PEJ signed a cooperation agreement with Westinghouse Electric, which involves determining the delivery model, preparing a safety assessment plan, and negotiating potential suppliers.

In addition, Poland's ZE PAK and PGE signed a letter of intent with Korea Hydro Nuclear Power Corporation (KHNP) to cooperate on the deployment of a nuclear power plant at the Patnow site in central Poland, planning to adopt South Korea's APR-1400 technology.

Potential Small Reactor Sites

Orlen Synthos Green Energy Company stated that after inspecting dozens of plant sites in Poland, it finally selected 7 potential small reactor sites, and further geological and other investigations will be carried out in the future.

According to reports, these potential sites all have high energy-consuming factories, or are located along the heating system. Orlen Synthos Green Energy announced that it is currently conducting in-depth investigations and negotiating with the local government. After the relevant work is completed, the company is expected to complete the feasibility analysis of small reactors at potential plant sites within two years.

According to Daniel Obajtek, CEO and President of PKN Orlen, Poland will have at least one modern nuclear power plant by 2030.

In December 2021, General Electric Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), BWXT Canada, and Poland's Synthos Green Energy signed a letter of intent to cooperate in deploying BWRX-300 small reactors in Poland. Since then, the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the International Development Finance Corporation of the United States have announced that they will provide $4 billion in financial support for the BWRX-300 project in Poland. Editor/Xu Shengpeng