Resolution on the construction of a nuclear power plant approved by the government
03.11.2022
The first nuclear power plant in Poland will be built on the basis of the American technology of Westinghouse Nuclear, the government decided. On Wednesday, November 2, the Council of Ministers adopted a resolution on this matter. The National Atomic Energy Agency will supervise the safe implementation of this project.
According to the resolution adopted by the government, in Poland there will be built a nuclear power plant with an electric capacity of up to 3,750 MWe, based on the American technology of AP1000 reactors. The construction of the first nuclear power plant will start in 2026, and the expected date of finalizing this investment is 2033. The first nuclear power plant is to be built in northern Poland. The implementation of the nuclear project will be carried in cooperation with the government of the United States of America.
The important role of the PAA in the nuclear program
The National Atomic Energy Agency is, with the minister responsible for energy and the investor (PEJ), one of the three most important institutions involved in the Polish Nuclear Energy Program. As the regulator (nuclear safety authority), the PAA will supervise the safe implementation of the investment, and then the operating (operation) of the power plant. The Agency's President is responsible, among others, for issuing a license to build a nuclear power plant, and PAA inspectors will carry out numerous inspections. The National Atomic Energy Agency, at every stage of the nuclear facility life cycle, is to check whether the investor meets the stringent requirements related to nuclear safety and radiation protection.
Application for safety analyzes of the first Polish nuclear power plant submitted to the PAA
In September this year Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe, which acts as an investor in the nuclear program, applied to PAA for a general opinion from the PAA President on the verification of safety analyzes of planned nuclear power plants. During the process of obtaining a permit for the construction of a nuclear power plant, the investor is obliged not only to present analyzes confirming the safety of the designed nuclear facility, but also to ensure independent verification of these analyzes. On the basis of the PEJ application, the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency will assess the proposed scope and detail of the verification, taking into account both national and international nuclear safety requirements. The PAA President has 6 months to issue a decision in this matter. In more complicated cases, this period may be extended to 9 months.