KGHM obtained first decision-in-principle for its SMR and 2nd in general
After a major decision on the large nuclear power plant in Pomerania, the Ministry of Climate and Environment issued another one, but this time for a small reactor for KGHM, which is to be built in cooperation with the American NuScale.
The decision is a signal of political support. KGHM will build the SMR on the basis of technology offered by NuScale from the US. In 2022 the companies signed an agreement on initial works aimed at making this technology part of the copper company’s activities.
„The decision of the Ministry of Climate and Environment is a general opinion on the selected conditions for the construction of a modular nuclear power plant with a capacity of 462 MW consisting of six modules, each with a capacity of 77 MW. The proposal was prepared, among other things, on the basis of documentation of the project, which has already received final certification in the United States,” KGHM said in a statement. „Our goal is safe, green and price-stable energy, which will allow us to maintain KGHM’s business advantage on a global scale. In the case of engagement in nuclear energy, we have the strong support of the Ministry of State Assets and now the acceptance of the Ministry of Climate and Environment. This is important because the introduction of nuclear technology in our country, based on small modules, also supports the energy transformation of the Polish economy,” said Tomasz Zdzikot, president of KGHM Polska Miedź.
The Climate Ministry issued a decision-in-principle on the nuclear power plant in Pomerania, which is to be built using the AP1000 technology of the American Westinghouse with the first reactor in 2033. PKN Orlen, together with Synthos, intends to implement GE Hitachi’s small atom technology (BWRX-300).
KGHM / Wojciech Jakóbik
Grupa Azoty: Sale of Puławy’s nitrogen plants to Orlen is „definitely premature”
„The potential sale of Zakłady Azotowe Puławy (Puławy nitrogen plant) to Orlen must pay off for Grupa Azoty, and it is „decidedly too early” to predict the success of this transaction,” Grupa Azoty said.
At the beginning of June, Orlen Group CEO Daniel Obajtek confirmed that he plans to take over the Azoty plant in Puławy, which has long been in a difficult situation, and which Orlen intends to use in its plan to build a multi-energy concern.
„The potential transaction may involve the sale of the shares held by Grupa Azoty (Tarnów) in Grupa Azoty Puławy. This means that the sale of these shares will be associated with the acquisition of significant financial resources by the company in Tarnów,” Grupa Azoty informed.
„The funds from this transaction can accelerate both the necessary and costly energy transition process and allow for additional investments,” the statement said.
At the same time, the company assured that, regardless of the outcome of the talks concerning Grupa Azoty’s plants in Puławy, the situation of the Group is stable and jobs are not threatened. „Grupa Azoty fulfills all its operating and investment obligations on an ongoing basis,” it concluded.
Grupa Azoty ranks second in the EU in the production of nitrogen and multicomponent fertilizers, while products such as melamine, caprolactam, polyamide, OXO alcohols and titanium dioxide also have a strong position in the chemical sector, finding application in many industries. Its consolidated sales revenue reached PLN 24.66 billion in 2022.
Grupa Azoty / Jacek Perzyński