PricewaterhouseCoopers produced the report “The Economic Impact of a Westinghouse AP1000 Reactor Project in Poland” for Westinghouse and its owners, Brookfield and Cameco. According to the report, six Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power units will produce more than $30bn of GDP impact and their subsequent operation would generate $9.5bn in GDP annually.
In November 2022 Poland selected Westinghouse to supply its AP1000 pressurised water reactor technology for the country’s first nuclear power station, 3-unit facility at Lubiatowo-Kopalino in Pomerania, northern Poland. In late 2023 Westinghouse formed a consortium with US partner Bechtel for the project. Geological studies at the building site are set to start soon, as the Polish Ministry of Climate has accepted the Geological Works Project of Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe Sp. z o.o. responsible for the country’s nuclear programe.
AP1000 project could also help EU reach its target of achieving net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050, with the six units capable of powering at least 13 million homes. The project could also advance Poland’s nuclear supply chain and assist in development of human capital through Westinghouse technology and training. Poland wants to have between 6 GW and 9 GW of commercial nuclear power at up to two sites in the early 2040s under its current nuclear programme adopted in 2020.
