The Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment has issued a pivotal decision authorizing the construction of a nuclear power plant using Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and a spent nuclear fuel storage facility. This marks a significant step forward in Poland’s nuclear energy ambitions. The ministry is set to make another crucial decision regarding the plant’s location.
Work on initiating the construction of the nuclear power plant is progressing, with Small Modular Nuclear Reactors at its core. Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Urszula Zielińska, noted in April that while 2034 was tentatively set as the startup date for Poland’s first nuclear power plant, updated data from the Polish Nuclear Power Program (PPEJ) will provide more precise timelines. The current PPEJ schedule targets 2033 for this milestone.
The foundational decision supports the construction of a nuclear power plant leveraging British technology from Rolls-Royce SMR, inclusive of an integrated spent nuclear fuel storage. This decision has been issued for the Świętokrzyska Industrial Group Industria, granting them the eligibility to seek further administrative decisions essential for the preparation, realization, and operation of the energy facility.
The Ministry of Climate and Environment considers the planned project as aligning with public interest, fitting into Poland’s energy and climate policy framework. The proposal has received favorable reviews from the Head of the Internal Security Agency and the Minister of State Assets.
This development in Poland’s energy sector represents a transition towards more sustainable and secure energy sources, aiming to meet future energy needs while considering environmental and safety standards.
