Poland’s first NPP to launch in 2036. Future of cooperation with Korea unknown

“In 2036 nuclear power will enter the grid at full throttle,” Climate Minister told Radio ZET about the NPP in Pomerania. She also stated that the atomic project with South Korea was a private endeavor and she did not know what decisions the investors would make.

“In 2036 nuclear power will enter the grid at full throttle,” Poland’s Climate Minister told Radio ZET about the NPP in Pomerania. Originally, the first unit of the Pomeranian power plant was supposed to be put into operation in 2033, but after the change of government, these plans were updated. This change will be included in the Polish Nuclear Energy Program (PPEJ).

This week, a geological survey on the construction site in Pomerania will start. “Considering the size of the power plant that will have three nuclear units we will drill over 200 holes at this stage, 40 per each unit plus more on land. In order to be able to accurately measure the basis,” Paulina Hennig-Kloska told Radio ZET.

She also stated that in her opinion the South Korean project in Konin-Pątnów will not become the government’s second location, despite suggestions made by Tomasz Nowak, deputy from the Civic Coalition. “Konin-Pątnów has never been a location that is the subject of government work. Konin was not included in the nuclear energy program as such. This is a private project, ” Minister Hennig-Kloska said.

According to her, the decisions in this case depend on the private investor. ZE PAK together with PGE created a special purpose vehicle called PGE PAK Energia Jądrowa to talk with Korea’s KHNP. “The government cannot decide to withdraw, this step needs to be taken by the private investors and in fact I have no idea if it is their final decision,” she added. Earlier, Polityka Insight suggested that the Korean project would be frozen.

“At this stage, we are conducting research, looking for the best location possible, so as to lead to a consensus on this issue,” the Climate Minister told Radio ZET when asked about the second location from the government program, which according to unofficial rumors is somewhere in central Poland. Bełchatów is sometimes mentioned in this context.

Radio ZET / Wojciech Jakóbik