Westinghouse to be Poland's nuclear project partner says PM
Westinghouse, a US supplier of nuclear products and technologies, will help build the country's first nuclear power plant (NPP), Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish prime minister has confirmed.
"After recent fruitful talks with @VP K.Harris (US Vice President Kamala - PAP) and @SecGranholm (US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm), we confirm the implementation of the nuclear project in the proven and safe @WECNuclear (Westinghouse Nuclear - PAP) technology. Thank you @USAmbPoland for cooperation. Government’s resolution on Wednesday," Morawiecki wrote on Twitter on Friday evening.
US Ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski, also took to Twitter to react to the news. "Fantastic news from Prime Minister Morawiecki: as a result of his cooperation with @VP Harris, Poland has chosen the US government and Westinghouse as its partner in nuclear energy. Formally, the process will end next week!"
"Thank you @MorawieckiM and @SecGranholm for working hard on this project. Together, we will strengthen our bilateral relations and Poland's energy security for future generations!," he added.
The Polish government spokesman Piotr Mueller told PAP that the acceptance of the American offer is a very important moment. "Nuclear energy will be an important element of Poland's energy security," he said.
He added that on Wednesday, November 3, the cabinet would adopt a relevant resolution in this regard.
Asked about talks with other countries, Mueller said: "The Americans will build the first nuclear power plant. We are also discussing possible projects with our other partner countries."
Under the Polish government's energy strategy, Poland is seeking partners to construct six nuclear power units with a total capacity from 6 to 9 gigawatts (GW). The first reactor should start working in 2033, generating some 1-1.6 GW of power. Subsequent reactors would be constructed every two years.
Poland has already signed an inter-governmental agreement with the US under which, in mid-September, Westinghouse offered to build six large-scale reactors based on American technology, in addition to proposing cooperation on civil nuclear energy.
Poland has also received offers for the construction of nuclear power plants from France's EDF and from South Korea's state-owned KHNP. (PAP)
