On 12 July the Ministry of Climate and Environment gave the green light for the first nuclear power plant, which will be built in Pomerania. Thus, the investment project executed by Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is the first nuclear project in Poland that obtained a decision-in-principle. It is a formal confirmation that the company’s investment project is in line with the public interest and the policies pursued by the state, including energy policy.
Obtaining the decision-in-principle by PEJ is another milestone for the construction of the nuclear power plant in Pomerania that has been achieved in recent months. This document enables the investor to apply for further administrative decisions, such as a location decision, and subsequently the construction license.
“The fact that the Ministry of Climate and Environment issued the decision-in-principle for the first nuclear power plant means that the government project reached another important milestone. The Polish Government consistently pursues the energy transition, strengthening Poland’s energy security at the same time. To achieve this, we are executing a number of projects concurrently, such as extension of the power transmission grid, diversification of gas supply sources to Poland, execution of investment projects for off-shore wind power or consistent implementation of the Polish Nuclear Power Program. Today’s decision brings us closer to the moment, when the first Polish nuclear power plant will start operating and producing electricity, ensuring appropriate volume of power working in the base of the electricity system in the 2030”, says Minister Anna Łukaszewska-Trzeciakowska, Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure.
The application, on the basis of which the decision-in-principle was issued, was submitted by Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe on 13 April 2023, at the earliest possible date. It contained, among others, description of project characteristics, including the AP1000 technology of Westinghouse, which will be used in the nuclear power plant.
The application indicates the maximum total installed capacity for the 3 nuclear units and the planned duration of their operation. In the justification for issuing the decision-in-principle, the Minister of Climate and Environment emphasized the importance of this investment project for securing Poland’s electricity needs, as well as its compliance with the Energy Policy of Poland until 2040 and the climate policy of the European Union.
“The decision-in-principle is the first key administrative decision obtained for the nuclear project of Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe. This shows that the company is step-by-step achieving objectives set for this year, which bring us closer to the commencement of the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Poland”, emphasizes Łukasz Młynarkiewicz, acting President of the Management Board of Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe.
As part of the Polish Nuclear Power Program, construction of two nuclear power plants is planned – the power plant in Pomerania is the first one. As a direct response to the necessity to increase country’s energy security and meet future electricity demand, it is one of the most important projects executed in Poland in recent decades.
