Poland’s Nuclear Energy Program (PPEJ) envisages the construction of two nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 6–9 GW. The nuclear power plants, the first ever to be built in Poland, would help the country end, once and for all, imports of Russian fossil fuels.
In an interview with money.pl and wp.pl, Mark Brzezinski said: “Poland is on the right track by partnering with an American firm for the construction of its first nuclear power plant.
“Energy security is national security,” he continued. “Russia would like to starve Poland of energy. It is important that you break your dependency on coal and Russian energy sources.”
He added: “The United States couldn’t be prouder that the Polish government has officially accepted Westinghouse Civil Nuclear Technology and Bechtel as the builders of Poland’s first nuclear power plant.”
The U.S. Ambassador said that for sustainable growth, Poland must achieve energy self-sufficiency, with nuclear energy being the most viable option for its power needs.
Brzezinski also confirmed significant U.S. government support: “The U.S. government is participating in the financing of Poland’s first nuclear power plant to the tune of billions of dollars through the involvement of Exim Bank and other entities.”
Changing builders – not a good option
He added, however, that building a second nuclear plant with the participation of the French company Électricité de France (EDF) could disrupt the consistency in technology and construction that ensures cost and time efficiency.
“If you change technology and builders, be prepared for a less efficient construction process,” he said, while warning that this could also increase costs and extend the construction period.
Leszek Juchniewicz, acting president of Polish Nuclear Power Plants (PEJ), which is responsible for the construction of the power plants, acknowledged the complexity of the project at the European Economic Congress earlier this month.
He said that the contractors estimate that the first unit will take “less than seven years” to complete, and if construction begins in 2028, the first unit is expected to be operational by 2035.
The Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium plans to construct the first plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site, starting construction in 2026, and expects it to be operational by 2033. Two more reactors will follow in the next three years.
Diversification
Poland’s efforts to diversify its energy sources and reduce its reliance on coal and Russian gas has been expedited by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to a report by the Polish daily Rzeczpospolita, since February 2023, 90% of the crude oil processed in Orlen's refineries has been sourced from outside Russia. By 2024, it is expected that Russian oil will be completely phased out in Poland.
Furthermore, 2023 marked the first year that the Polish economy successfully operated without relying on Russian gas.
