Poland sets 2027 partner deadline for second nuclear plant, keeps Bełchatów and Konin as top sites

Second plant takes shape

After months of work, the Ministry of Energy unveiled the latest edition of the Polish Nuclear Power Programme (PPEJ) on Friday. The document confirms ambitions for two large-scale nuclear stations totalling 6 to 9 GW. While the first plant at Choczewo is already advancing, attention now shifts to the second facility.

“We estimate that we will select the partner and technology in 2027.”

The preferred sites remain Bełchatów and Konin, with Kozienice and Połaniec as reserves. State-controlled PGE is currently conducting on-site surveys at the two front-runners. Once the technology partner is chosen, that company will complete the investigations, feeding the final 2028 location decision.

First nuclear station milestones

The Choczewo project, run by the state vehicle Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ), will deploy three Westinghouse AP1000 reactors with a combined capacity around 3.75 GW. Construction of the first reactor is scheduled to start in 2028, with commercial electricity delivery expected in 2036. The full three-unit station should be online by 2038.

“Energy security cannot be built without nuclear power.”

In December 2025 the European Commission approved the public support model for the investment. PEJ submitted its construction permit application to the National Atomic Energy Agency in March 2026. The government has earmarked PLN 60.2 billion for equity injections between 2025 and 2030, while negotiations with the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium on the EPC contract continue.

Second plant timeline and financing

The ministry sees the second station starting construction around 2032, with its first unit entering service in 2040, though officials stress the schedule will be refined once the site is locked. The state expects capital participation from partners, but not directly from the technology vendor. Talks are ongoing with the Polish Development Fund, the state bank BGK, and other institutional investors.

PEJ will coordinate the second project, with a significant role foreseen for PGE on technical and site analysis. The update also raises local-content targets: a minimum of 40% for the first unit and at least 70% for subsequent blocks.

Local reactions

In Bełchatów, the lack of an immediate site selection drew disappointment.

“As a region we are disappointed; the declarations were clear that the second plant would be built in the Bełchatów area.”

By contrast, the MP Tomasz Nowak, who leads the “Atom for Konin” campaign, welcomed the phased approach, arguing technology should be chosen first.

International interest

French giant EDF remains a contender to supply the second plant’s technology, despite last year’s signals that its new CEO Bernard Fontana wanted to refocus on domestic projects. Canadian firms are pitching their CANDU technology, highlighting access to the world’s second-largest uranium reserves and promising to develop a local supply chain. The energy ministry expects the updated PPEJ to be adopted by the Council of Ministers in July, while a separate roadmap for small modular reactors will be presented within weeks.