EC gives green light to construction of first nuclear power plant in Poland

The European Commission has approved a package to support the construction and operation of Poland's first nuclear power plant, declaring it compatible with EU state aid rules. EuronewsThe government in Warsaw has provided funds for the construction of the nuclear power plant, which is expected to cost around 192 billion zlotys (45 million euros).

Authorities in Warsaw have said they aim to support the EU investment by injecting capital of around 14 billion euros, which would cover 30% of the total project cost. Later in December, 1,9 billion euros will go to the company managing the project.

The power plant will be built in the northern municipality of Khochevo, near the Baltic Sea coast, and will be one of the most important elements of the country's energy transition.

The investment is being implemented by the Polish company Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ). According to a February 2025 amendment to the law, the project developer will receive public support of up to EUR 14 billion until 2030.

"Construction will be able to start as early as this month. As you can guess, this was an absolutely necessary condition and was not at all easy to achieve," said Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

When will the power plant be built?

Poland is building its first nuclear power plant in cooperation with US companies Westinghouse and Bechtel. According to the schedule, concrete for the first reactor is planned to be poured in 2028. The power plant will ultimately consist of three reactors using AP1000 technology, each with a capacity of 1250 MWe.

The first unit is scheduled to be completed in 2035, with electricity flowing to the grid in 2036. The third unit is scheduled to be operational by 2038.

In early October, PEJ Vice President Piotr Piela said that 30 commercial banks from around the world had expressed initial interest in participating in the financing.

Projections for 2040 show that the power plant will reach about 88,5% of its capacity, which will provide reliable and stable electricity for Poland, and the industry will be able to secure energy for many years to come.

See more: Czech Republic plans $19 billion nuclear power expansion

An investment in the future

The project is key to strengthening Poland's energy independence and reducing CO2 emissions. Deputy Minister of Energy and Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure, Wojciech Wrochna, said that the construction of the nuclear power plant is a step that will provide long-term benefits for the entire energy sector.

"It is important that energy from a nuclear power plant provides security, grid stability and is clean energy. All these elements have been taken into account in the Commission's decision. The power plant will operate at a very high load and will do so at relatively low costs," he said.

A choice that is good for the environment

Poland was already considering building a nuclear power plant 15 years ago, according to Professor Mikołaj Oettingen of the Department of Energy and Fuels at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow.

The deployment process has accelerated recently as suitable economic and political conditions emerged and decision-makers recognized the urgent need to include nuclear energy in the national energy mix.

"Nuclear energy is a zero-carbon energy source that is essential for the stable operation of the electricity system. It does not emit carbon dioxide and its deployment will allow the replacement of long-defunct coal-fired power plants, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and helping to achieve climate goals," Oettingen said.

According to him, nuclear power plants are the most efficient energy generators, regardless of weather conditions. Therefore, the introduction of nuclear energy in Poland will provide a stable source of baseload energy that can operate for another 60-80 years.