Poland extends agreement with Westinghouse and Bechtel for first nuclear power plant
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe has extended its engineering contract with the American consortium, securing continued technical studies and maintaining the timeline for the Lubiatowo-Kopalino nuclear plant.
| Sectors | Nuclear Energy |
|---|---|
| Themes | Investments & Transactions |
| Companies | Bechtel |
| Countries | Poland, United States |
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ), a company 100% owned by the Polish State Treasury, has signed an amendment to its Engineering Development Agreement with the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium. This extension allows for the continuation of design work for the nuclear power plant planned at Lubiatowo-Kopalino, in the Pomeranian region.
Technical work remains on schedule
The revised agreement covers ongoing design of the nuclear and turbine islands, as well as the balance of plant. It also includes additional in-depth geological survey campaigns. These works are essential to maintain the initial schedule, while enabling progress in negotiations for the future Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract.
According to PEJ, certain tasks initially planned under the EPC contract have been brought forward into this amendment to prevent delays. Field work continues while technical documentation required for upcoming regulatory phases is being finalised.
Public funding and EU approval
On December 30, PEJ received state treasury bonds with a nominal value of PLN4.6bn ($1.27bn), enabling a capital increase. This funding is part of public support approved by the European Commission in early December. The funds will cover preparatory works, technical studies, and internal site infrastructure.
In parallel, discussions are ongoing with financial institutions, primarily foreign ones, to secure the loans necessary for the project’s next stages. The Polish government plans to allocate PLN60.2bn ($16.7bn) in public funds to the project by 2030. Additional funding is expected to come from export credit agencies, including the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
2033 target for commissioning
The Polish-American consortium is currently developing a site-specific design for three AP1000 reactors, a technology from Westinghouse Electric Company. Initial earthworks are scheduled for the first half of 2026, alongside more than 1,000 geotechnical drillings totalling 15 kilometres in depth and 7,000 laboratory tests.
The target date for commercial operation of the first reactor remains set for 2033. PEJ is also preparing the documentation needed to apply for the required administrative permits to begin construction.
