Poland signs deal to prepare second nuclear plant, with Bełchatów and Konin still preferred

Roles set out in the agreement

On Tuesday, 13 October, the Ministry of Energy, Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) and PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna signed an agreement setting the rules of cooperation on preparing the construction of Poland's second nuclear power plant. Under the deal, PEJ will act as investor and project coordinator. PGE, which is supervised by the Ministry of State Assets, will prepare preliminary feasibility studies together with potential technology suppliers and carry out the necessary analyses of the locations under consideration. The stated goal is to make optimal use of the resources of both companies in implementing the programme.

Minister of Energy Miłosz Motyka announced the signing and posted on the X platform:

Poland is the 20th economy in the world, but our ambitions reach higher. There will be no strong, independent economy without nuclear energy. We are already building the first nuclear power plant, and in parallel we are accelerating preparations for the second.

Timeline and selection process

The updated Programme of Polish Nuclear Energy, adopted by the government, foresees choosing a strategic partner and technology supplier for the second plant in 2027. Construction is planned to start around 2032, and the first power unit is to start operating around 2040. A competitive dialogue on selecting the technology supplier and the investment contractor is under way, with the United States, France and Canada taking part. The ministry describes this process as the stage that determines who will supply the technology and build the plant.

1. 2027Strategic partner and technology supplier to be selected
2. 2032Construction start planned, around 2032
3. 2040First power unit to start operating, around 2040

Candidate sites

Bełchatów and Konin remain the preferred locations for the second plant. The final choice will be made by the investor after detailed analyses and field studies. Location selection is described in the sources as one of the most important preparatory stages of the project, which the government says is meant to strengthen the country's energy security.

Domestic industry

The minister said Polish companies, workers and industry should benefit from the development of nuclear power from the preparation stage onward. In the same statement he added:

We are combining the competencies of both companies so that we can prepare the investment efficiently. We want Polish companies, employees and industry to benefit from the development of Polish nuclear energy. This is an investment in our security, sovereignty and economic development.

The first plant at Choczewo

Poland's first nuclear power plant is being built in the Pomeranian commune of Choczewo. PEJ is its investor, and the contractor is a consortium of the American firms Westinghouse and Bechtel. The first reactor, built on Westinghouse's AP1000 technology, is due to start operating in 2036, with the next two units planned for 2037 and 2038. These dates apply to the first plant only and not to the second.