Supplier’s day to facilitate the polonization of nuclear power from America

0
47
Supplier's day in Gdynia. Picture by Polish Nuclear Power Plants
Supplier's day in Gdynia. Picture by Polish Nuclear Power Plants

Polish Nuclear Power Plants, Westinghouse and Bechtel have organized a „supplier day” for companies from Pomerania that want to take part in the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Poland.

„On October 24-25, 2023, Polish Nuclear Power Plants (PEJ) in cooperation with Westinghouse Electric Company, Bechtel and the Polish Chamber of Power Industry and Environmental Protection (IGEOS) held a two-day „Supplier Day” conference in Gdynia. The event under the honorary patronage of the Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure gathered about 70 companies from Pomerania interested in participating in the nuclear power plant construction project,” the PEJ press release said.

The main objectives of the „Supplier Day” Initiative are to support companies from Pomerania operating in the nuclear sector and mobilize those who see the opportunity to join the supply chain in the pioneering project of the first nuclear power plant in Poland.

The event is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure. „Mega-infrastructure projects in the energy sector, such as the construction of Poland’s first nuclear power plant, are crucial not only for ensuring Poland’s energy security, but also for the further economic development of our country. Our goal is to maximize the benefits associated with this investment through the widest possible involvement of Polish companies in this process. I am glad that so many potential partners are interested in cooperation. Thanks to the „Supplier Day” initiative, we are opening up new prospects for Polish companies – building competence in the nuclear industry, and thus their place in the global, competitive market,” said the Government Plenipotentiary Anna Łukaszewska-Trzeciakowska.

The agenda of the conference includes presentations of key aspects related to the construction of a nuclear power plant in the north of the country. The program also includes panels on logistics and supply chain security, which are an indispensable part of a project of this scale.

„The aim of the „Supplier Day” initiative is to develop and strengthen local entrepreneurship by including as many companies from Pomerania as possible in the project of building the first Polish nuclear power plant. Thanks to this event and others that we plan to organize together with our American partners, we want to identify local Polish contractors and suppliers who will actively participate in the investment process and conclude specific commercial contracts in the future, ” said Mateusz Berger, president of Polish Nuclear Power Plants (PEJ).

„Thanks to the construction of a nuclear power plant located in Pomerania, the region has a chance to become an engine driving the Polish economy. Due to the scale of investment, the construction of appropriate infrastructure, facilities and the involvement of local suppliers, many local companies, institutions and universities will benefit from the project. Importantly, the involvement of all stakeholders in the project, including companies involved in the supply chain, is a vital factor in the success of the project – it will play a key role not only in the preparation and construction phase, but actually throughout the entire period of implementation and operation of the power plant, which is planned for 60 years plus. So far, we have signed letters of intent with 34 companies in Poland, but we are constantly looking for other companies for potential cooperation, especially those from Pomerania, where the investment will be implemented,” said Mirosław Kowalik, president of Westinghouse Polska.

Representatives of the Embassy of the United States of America in Poland, the Voivode of Pomerania and the Marshal of the Voivodeship, as well as representatives of local governments from Wejcherowo, Puck and Lębork counties took part in the meeting.

PEJ is a company responsible for preparing the investment process and acting as an investor in a project for the construction of nuclear power plants with a total installed capacity of approx. 6 to approx. 9 GWe. The first nuclear power plant in Poland, which will have nuclear reactors of the third generation made in the USA, is to be built in Pomerania.

Polish Nuclear Power Plants / Jędrzej Stachura