Resolution on the construction of first 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 (PAA) will supervise the safe implementation of this project.
According to the resolution adopted by the Government, a nuclear power plant with an electrical capacity of up to 3,750 MWe will be built in Poland, based on the American technology of AP1000 reactors. The construction of the first nuclear power plant will start in 2026, and the expected completion date of 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 out in cooperation with the Government of the United States of America.
The important role of the PAA in the nuclear power program
The National Atomic Energy Agency is, next to the minister responsible for energy and the investor company (PEJ), one of the three most important stakeholders involved in the Polish Nuclear Energy Program. As the nuclear regulatory body, the PAA will supervise the safe implementation of the investment, and then the operation of the power plant. The Agency's President is responsible, inter alia, for issuing a license for construction of a nuclear facility, and PAA inspectors will carry out numerous inspections. The National Atomic Energy Agency, at each stage of the life cycle of a nuclear facility, is to check whether the investor meets the stringent requirements related to nuclear safety and radiological protection.
Application for safety analyzes of the first Polish nuclear power plant submitted to the PAA
In September this year Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe, an investor company 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 request of the PEJ company, 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.