Background information

There are currently no nuclear power plants in Poland. According to Energy Policy of Poland until 2040, the construction of the first nuclear unit should start no later than 2026, and by 2043 6-9 GW of power should be in operation. This means that nuclear power will play an important role in the energy system alongside renewable sources of energy, with the aim of decommissioning coal-fired power stations.

Poland's first nuclear power plant is to be built in the Choczewo municipality, with the state-owned company Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe leading the investment. On 26 October 2022, the Voivode of Pomerania issued a localisation decision to Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe for the construction of a nuclear power plant.

Content of measure

The decision finally determines that the nuclear power plant - consisting of three AP1000 reactors supplied by Westinghouse, with a total capacity of 3.75 GW - will stand at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino location in the Choczewo municipality. It defines the area of the investment on land and sea, as well as the conditions for its implementation, such as technical, environmental, conservation and fire protection. By virtue of the decision, PEJ obtains the right to dispose of the real estate indicated in the document for the purposes of preparatory work and the construction and subsequent operation of the facility.

This is the third investment approval won by Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe. In July 2023, the Climate Ministry issued a decision-in-principle (expressing political support for the construction of the reactors), and the president of the State Atomic Energy Agency (PAA) issued a so-called general opinion confirming the correctness of the scope of verification of safety analyses. On 19 September 2023, PEJ obtained the environmental decision, and on 27 September 2023 it concluded a contract with Westinghouse and Bechtel Engineering Services for the design of the nuclear power plant.

Use of measure

Current assumptions are that in the next 18 months Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe, Westinghouse and Bechtel will focus on design work and negotiation of the construction contract, which is expected to be signed in 2025-2026, while at the end of 2024 it will be possible to conclude talks with the European Commission on the investment support model.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Larger corporations	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Company / Companies Other social actors (e.g. NGOs) Local / regional government	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Social partners were not involved in the decision.

Views and reactions

No social partners' views are available.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 26 October 2023: Nuclear power plant. The voivode issued another decision (www.gdansk.uw.gov.pl)