SMR reactors are getting closer. Poland has signed a key agreement

And although it is difficult to call Poland a nuclear power, if the government’s plan is implemented without any obstacles, we can become European leaders when it comes to small modular reactors. And the agreement signed in Washington between Orlen Synthos Green Energy and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy brings us much closer to this goal. As emphasized by the Minister of Energy, Miłosz Motyka, when signing the contract at the headquarters of the US Department of Energy:

Poland can be the leader of SMR technology in Europe. Another step in this direction has just been taken. To ensure a stable, zero-emission energy system and predictable business conditions, we are developing large-scale nuclear power plants and small nuclear reactor technology in parallel. SMR means support for industry, stable energy prices for consumers and an extremely important development impulse for the Polish supply chain. With increasing energy demand, we need both technologies.

The contract concerns the development of the Polish version of the BWRX-300 project by GE Hitachi. This reactor provides up to 300 MW of power and is intended to be the basis for SMR-based energy in our country. It will be adapted to our needs and safety regulations. In this way, we will ensure a uniform standard and documentation for subsequent reactors of this type, which will significantly reduce future costs and speed up the entire process, allowing us to move to a model of serial implementation of projects using these reactors. Thanks to this, future investments will be able to be based on their documentation, and the only changes will result from the specificity of specific locations.

Additionally, the involvement of Polish companies that will supply some of the components for the construction of reactors will increase. As noted by Secretary of State in the Ministry of Energy Wojciech Wrochna:

This is a decision of strategic importance for the Polish energy transformation. The generic design is the foundation for building a fleet of reactors in a repeatable model. Standardization means lower unit costs and greater competitiveness. It is also an opportunity to develop national competences and the participation of Polish companies in the implementation of advanced technological projects.