On 24 November Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment issued a decision-in-principle for construction in Pątnów-Konin of the country’s 2nd large nuclear power plant using two APR1400 reactors delivered by South Korean KHNP. According to the application submitted for the plant in August this year by PGE PAK Energia Jądrowa, the two units will generate 22 TWh of electricity per year, 12% of electricity demand in Poland. PGE PAK is a 50/50 joint venture of Polish companies ZE PAK and Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE). The ministry’s decision is a formal confirmation that the project is in line with the public interest and the state policies, including energy policy. It is the first decision in the process of administrative permits.
The letter of intent was signed on 31 October 2022 between Polish and Korean ministries, ZE PAK, PGE and Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP). PGE President Wojciech Dąbrowski said: “We received the decision less than 13 months after signing the letter of intent. In the case of such a large investment, this is a very good result. It is also proof of the commitment and good cooperation of all partners in the project and confirmation that the ambitious plan to launch the first power unit by 2035 is very realistic. The power plant will provide consumers with cheap and clean energy, and Poland with renewable energy sources, security and energy independence.”
