Climate minister approves plan to build Poland's first nuclear power plant

"Today we have issued a decision in principle for Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe, which brings us closer to building the first nuclear plant in our country," minister Moskwa announced on Twitter.

The minister explained that said decision in principle "is a formal confirmation that the planned investement is in line with the public interest and the consistent energy policy of the government".

Such a decision is also necessary when filing for all further decisions and permissions required in the nuclear power plants investment process.

"Nuclear energy technology will ensure stable power supply and diverse energy sources, and thereby - the energy sovereignty of our country," Anna Moskwa added.

"On 12 July the Ministry of Climate and Environment gave the green light for the first nuclear power plant, which will be built in Pomerania. Thus, the investment project executed by Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is the first nuclear project in Poland that obtained a decision-in-principle. It is a formal confirmation that the company’s investment project is in line with the public interest and the policies pursued by the state, including energy policy," the PEJ said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The PEJ added the decision "is another milestone for the construction of the nuclear power plant in Pomerania that has been achieved in recent months". "This document enables the investor to apply for further administrative decisions, such as a location decision, and subsequently the construction license."

Minister Anna Łukaszewska-Trzeciakowska, Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure was quoted in the statement as saying: "The fact that the Ministry of Climate and Environment issued the decision-in-principle for the first nuclear power plant means that the government project reached another important milestone. The Polish Government consistently pursues the energy transition, strengthening Poland’s energy security at the same time. To achieve this, we are executing a number of projects concurrently, such as extension of the power transmission grid, diversification of gas supply sources to Poland, execution of investment projects for off-shore wind power or consistent implementation of the Polish Nuclear Power Program. Today’s decision brings us closer to the moment, when the first Polish nuclear power plant will start operating and producing electricity, ensuring appropriate volume of power working in the base of the electricity system in the 2030".

"The application, on the basis of which the decision-in-principle was issued, was submitted by Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe on 13 April 2023, at the earliest possible date. It contained, among others, description of project characteristics, including the AP1000 technology of Westinghouse, which will be used in the nuclear power plant," we read.

According to the PEJ, "the application indicates the maximum total installed capacity for the 3 nuclear units and the planned duration of their operation". "In the justification for issuing the decision-in-principle, the Minister of Climate and Environment emphasized the importance of this investment project for securing Poland’s electricity needs, as well as its compliance with the Energy Policy of Poland until 2040 and the climate policy of the European Union."

"The decision-in-principle is the first key administrative decision obtained for the nuclear project of Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe. This shows that the company is step-by-step achieving objectives set for this year, which bring us closer to the commencement of the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Poland", Łukasz Młynarkiewicz, acting President of the Management Board of Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe, was quoted in the statement as saying.

"As part of the Polish Nuclear Power Program, construction of two nuclear power plants is planned – the power plant in Pomerania is the first one. As a direct response to the necessity to increase country’s energy security and meet future electricity demand, it is one of the most important projects executed in Poland in recent decades," the PEJ wrote.

In December 2021, the PEJ designated a preferred location for the plant in Lubiatowo-Kopalino, Choczewo Municipality. According to the plan, construction of Poland's first nuclear power plant is to begin in 2026, whereas the first block, with a capacity between 1 and 1.6 GW, is to be launched in 2033. Further blocks are to be added every 2-3 years, while the whole project assumes construction of 6 nuclear blocks with a combined installed capacity between 6 and 9 GW.

In late June this year, the Council of Ministers adopted a resolution regarding support for infrastructure investments in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, including the support for nuclear plant construction. A total of 4.7 billion zlotys have been earmarked to cover the investement in 2023-2029.

The program includes construction of a trunk road, construction or reconstruction of rail infrastructure as well as creation of a hydraulic infrastructure that would ensure, among other things, access to the power plant on the territory of Choczewo, Gniewino, and Krokowo municipalities.