„We are researching where the third NPP in Poland should be built, it will be the second plant sponsored by the government. Bełchatów is highly likely,” said Jacek Sasin, VP and States Assets Minister, in an interview for Radio Plus. „The best two locations will be announced this autumn,” he added.
„This has not been settled, because at the moment we are researching these locations, a few locations are on the table. This is led by the Climate Minister. In the autumn of this year, two best locations will be selected, and the power plant will be built at one of them,” Sasin confirmed.
According to him, Bełchatów is a „huge energy hub”. „It has this advantage over other locations that it already has many network connections to the entire energy grid in Poland, in this regard this location is the best,” he said.
The lignite coal mine has been operating in Bełchatów for more than 30 years, it is the largest open-pit mine in Poland and one of the largest in Europe. The lignite deposit has total resources estimated at over 1 billion tons.
It is worth noting that as a result of the energy crisis, the Polish government has accelerated the decision on the construction of nuclear power plants. The first facility is to be built in Pomerania, thanks to cooperation with the American Westinghouse. The second facility will be built in Pątnów (Konin district) as part of cooperation between PGE PAK and the Korean KHNP. The partner for the construction of the third power plant has not yet been chosen.
Polish Press Agency / Jacek Perzyński