Industry Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Poland’s First Nuclear Power Plant as Government Announces Funding
Westinghouse Electric Company and Bechtel have expressed their support for the Polish government’s plan to allocate 60 billion zloty for the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant.
The announcement coincided with a gathering of key stakeholders in Warsaw and Gdansk, where project progress was showcased and commitments to economic development and community engagement were reaffirmed. In Gdansk, local authorities were updated on significant project milestones, including ongoing geological surveys at the construction site that are crucial for advancing project planning. This initiative is being led by Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ), a state-owned company, at the Choczewo commune site in Pomerania.
“Energy security is national security. The United States is proud to be Poland’s closest partner and most trusted friend in the clean energy transition,” stated Mark Brzezinski, U.S. Ambassador to Poland. “Poland’s decision to partner with Westinghouse and Bechtel—two premier American companies—places energy security at the heart of our collaboration.”
Patrick Fragman, President and CEO of Westinghouse, remarked, “With the AP1000® design, Poland has chosen the most advanced, proven technology, already achieving operational records across six units, with another 12 planned to begin operations by the end of the decade. This project is expected to generate over 100 billion zloty in economic impact, creating tens of thousands of jobs during both construction and the extensive operational phase that follows.”
Craig Albert, President and COO of Bechtel, added, “This historic project will enhance the country’s energy independence while fostering significant economic opportunities, including job creation, the development of a skilled nuclear workforce, and the establishment of a robust supply chain with substantial participation from Polish companies.” Together, Westinghouse and Bechtel bring over 140 years of nuclear power experience to the project, along with a proven model for localizing the nuclear supply chain. Bechtel and the Polish Chamber of Power Industry and Environmental Protection (IGEOS) recently hosted supplier symposiums in Gdansk and Gdynia, drawing participation from over 150 regional companies. Additionally, Westinghouse has engaged with more than 500 companies for the project and runs an annual internship program for Polish students in the United States.
Earlier this year, Bechtel established agreements with Gdansk University of Technology and Warsaw University of Technology to launch Nuclear Energy Career Development Programs aimed at preparing the workforce for Poland’s emerging nuclear industry. In line with these efforts, the U.S. Department of Energy has also inaugurated a regional training center for clean energy technologies in Warsaw.
The AP1000 reactor is the only operational Generation III+ reactor featuring fully passive safety systems, modular construction design, and the smallest footprint per MWe on the market. Currently, four AP1000 reactors in China are setting operational performance and availability records, with eight more under construction and four additional units contracted. There are also two operating AP1000 units at the Vogtle site in Georgia. This technology has been selected for nuclear energy programs in Poland, Ukraine, and Bulgaria, and is under consideration in several other locations across Central and Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom, India, and North America. By the end of the decade, a total of 18 units utilizing AP1000 technology are expected to be in operation globally. Over the past 70 years, Bechtel has assisted clients in delivering clean energy through nuclear power, having designed, built, or provided construction services for 150 nuclear plants worldwide, contributing over 76,000 megawatts of new nuclear generation capacity.
About Westinghouse
Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the world’s first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company’s technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world’s operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle.
About Bechtel
Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world’s infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.
Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations.
