A Nuclear Powered Poland: How Poland Plans to Implement Nuclear Power Generation

As of 2022, Poland produces 178 TWh of power. 77% of this comes from the burning of fossil fuels. (Nuclear Power in Poland – World Nuclear Association). As European countries look to cleaner energy options, nuclear power is returning to the policies of nations that were once anti-nuclear. It is considered a viable option once again. Poland is one of the countries who is showing an interest in nuclear power generation.

Power Generation in Poland (Image Source:  Poland – Energy Sector).

As the second largest coal producing country, it is critical to the clean energy sector for Poland to pioneer change. A turn away from coal would mean a decrease in its supply and shocking energy prices in Europe. With Poland vowing to be a nuclear producing country, others will look to this more seriously as well.

France has been a strong advocate for nuclear power production in the EU as it produces 70% of its energy by means of fission power. Other countries of the EU have yet to innovate in this way since there is a large economic barrier to entry. If a country like Poland can lead the way on a nuclear power revolution, then it may just be the event to drive many other fossil fuel-driven countries to do the same.

Poland has recently implemented a policy to begin transitioning away from coal by setting in place a power production limit of the fuel. In 2021, the Polish government set out its plans for nuclear development to the public, and invested in Polish Nuclear Power Plants (PEJ). The plan states that by 2030, they will be limited to 56% electricity generation by coal. This is a stark contrast to the 70% that they currently use. A transition like this may not seem drastic, but that will command a large shift in power production from other sources.

To bridge the gap to other cleaner forms of energy production in 2030, Poland says they will subsidize their grid with natural gas until cleaner options are established. By this date, the share of electricity generated from renewable sources will be at least 32%.

In 2033, Poland will commission their first nuclear reactor which will generate a minimum of 1GW of power and continue to construct 6 total reactors by 2040. Westinghouse won the contract to construct the first AP 1000 nuclear reactor and are still in bidding against Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). Construction of the first plant is set to begin in 2026 in the region of Lubiatowo-Kopalino.

Planned Nuclear Sites in Poland (Image Source: Poland Energy Security).

Poland is also funding research and development of their own reactor designs and has shown interest in being involved in future deployment of their reactor designs in other countries. They are currently in the beginning stages of discussing nuclear power for Lithuania.

Interest in the developing small module reactor (SMR) industry is growing as well. Polish companies have shown intent to work with SMR designers, British company Rolls Royce and French nuclear company EDF. 

In most recent news, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Justin Trudeau met to discuss a partnership between Canada and Poland for building future reactor sites in Poland. Canada is considering funding the construction of their next reactor.

Public sentiment surrounding nuclear power in Poland is strong. Votes heavily weigh in favor of nuclear energy during election cycles and growth in investments continue. This popular opinion surrounding nuclear power is a sign that its positives are recognized and regulations indicate that safety is not forgotten, but change is necessary. Poland is another step towards this change to nuclear power.