Construction license application submitted for Poland’s first nuclear plant

Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe, Poland's state-owned utility, has formally submitted an application for a construction license to build a nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in Pomerania. The country's first nuclear power plant will consist of three Westinghouse AP1000 units with a total installed capacity of 3,750 MWe. The construction and engineering contractor for the project is a U.S.-based consortium of Westinghouse and Bechtel.

40,000 pages: The construction license application, consisting of 40,000 pages that were prepared by more than 200 experts in nuclear safety, radiological protection, and other relevant subject matter, was submitted to Poland's National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA). The preliminary safety analysis report submitted with the application includes analyses of technical and environmental factors that demonstrate compliance with nuclear safety, physical security, radiological protection, and nuclear material safeguards requirements. The application also includes a quality assurance program, a security classification, design of a physical security system, basic information on the radiological emergency management system, and various organizational documentation.

In addition to submitting the construction license application to the PAA, PEJ must also submit a construction permit application to the voivodeship of Pomerania. The company plans to submit that application in 2027.

Construction and operation dates: Preparatory construction activities began at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site last year. Construction of the reactors is expected to begin in late 2028 with the pouring of first concrete. Construction of each reactor is expected to take about seven years. Each reactor will then have a testing and commissioning period lasting about a year. The first unit is expected to begin commercial operation in 2036, the second in 2037, and the third in 2038.

Wojciech Wrochna, secretary of state at the Ministry of Energy and plenipotentiary for strategic energy infrastructure, emphasized that the "application for a construction license for Poland's first nuclear power plant signals our determination to deliver this project, which will ensure stable energy prices for Polish families for decades to come and serve as a driving force for modern industry. The documentation submitted with the application confirms that the planned nuclear power plant meets the most stringent global standards and will be safe for residents and the environment."

Public support: A public opinion poll commissioned by Poland's Ministry of Energy in late 2025 indicated that support for nuclear energy is strong among Poles. According to the survey, 92 percent of respondents support nuclear power for their nation, and about 80 percent would accept a nuclear power plant near their homes. Only 5 percent oppose nuclear power, and 3 percent are undecided on the issue.