Poland: KGHM applies for approval of SMR project

Poland is turning to nuclear power to diversify its energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. Two modular nuclear power plant projects are being developed by KGHM and Orlen Synthos Green Energy, with the support of the Polish government.

Share:

Polish mining giant KGHM filed a preliminary decision application to build a large-scale nuclear power plant in Poland on April 14. This decision is the first step in the process of obtaining administrative permits for investments in nuclear facilities in Poland.

According to KGHM, this preliminary decision is “an expression of the state’s support for the realization of a given project and allows the investor to apply for a number of subsequent administrative decisions, such as the location decision or the construction permit, among others.” The company did not provide additional details on the progress of the ongoing administrative proceedings.

KGHM is part of the VOYGR nuclear power plant project in Poland

In February 2022, KGHM signed a definitive agreement with NuScale Power of the United States to deploy the first NuScale VOYGR SMR nuclear power plant in Poland as early as 2029. In July, KGHM submitted an application to the Polish National Atomic Energy Agency (NAEA) to evaluate NuScale’s SMR technology and prepare a site survey. Under a contract signed in September, NuScale will continue to support KGHM’s application to the NAEA by writing additional preliminary safety analysis reports and coordinating with the agency. The contract also provides for the subsequent tasks of the preliminary work agreement proposed by NuScale to KGHM.

The VOYGR nuclear power plant project that Poland will develop in cooperation with NuScale will consist of six modules, each with an installed capacity of 77 MWe. NuScale’s SMR technology was the first to receive approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in August 2020. KGHM aims to diversify its energy sources. By 2030, 50% of the electricity used by KGHM will come from its own sources, including nuclear and renewable energy.

Objective of diversifying energy sources in Poland

At the same time, the Polish government also supports the development of SMR. On April 17, Orlen Synthos Green Energy announced that it has shortlisted seven sites in Poland for additional geological studies to host SMR plants based on GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s BWRX-300 technology.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that “our future depends on a prudent program of nuclear power construction in Poland, the future of the energy sector in Poland, but also the future of industry and economic development. He also pointed out that the installation of an SMR would save 100 to 200 million euros per year on CO2 emissions

SE Ignalina, the Lithuanian nuclear operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Newcleo to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology in Lithuania.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the signing of new agreements for the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thus strengthening the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
Vistra Corp receives green light to extend Perry nuclear plant operations in Ohio by 20 years, securing regional electricity supply until 2046 and ensuring operational continuity for all its nuclear reactors in the United States.
EDF will hold a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear project in the UK, a €1.3 billion investment announced during Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to London, confirming the strategic nuclear energy alignment between the two countries.
The French Cigéo project, designed to bury the most hazardous radioactive waste deep underground, obtains a crucial technical validation before its final authorization, expected by the end of 2027.
EDF confirms the continuation of its industrial project in Fessenheim for recycling very low-level radioactive metals, a first in France requiring specific regulatory authorizations, following a public debate concluded last February.
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. formalizes its collaboration with UrAmerica Ltd. to strengthen Argentina’s uranium supply, aiming to secure future nuclear fuel supply chains for the U.S. market.
American companies SHINE Technologies and Standard Nuclear partner to recycle uranium and plutonium, supplying advanced fuel to the nuclear reactor sector and enhancing the national energy security of the United States.
The American Bureau of Shipping and two nuclear sector companies are studying the potential deployment of floating nuclear power plants to meet the energy needs of island and coastal regions in the Mediterranean, notably via electricity and desalination.
Lithuania establishes a working group tasked with assessing the feasibility of modular nuclear reactors to meet electricity demand estimated at 74 TWh by 2050.
Framatome has secured two significant contracts from Electrabel covering modernisation and technical support for the Tihange 3 and Doel 4 nuclear reactors, as part of their extension agreed upon between Engie and the Belgian government.
Cairo is stepping up connection works for the planned 4,800 MW El-Dabaa nuclear plant, developed with Rosatom, to feed the grid from 2026 with output equal to about seven % of national electricity.
EDF extends Flamanville EPR's shutdown to August 13 to conduct technical checks on three valves of the reactor's primary circuit, initially scheduled to resume production this week.
GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Fortum announce partnership aimed at preparing for the potential deployment of small modular reactors in Finland and Sweden, with commissioning scheduled for the 2030s.
Energy Fuels Inc. announced record production of 638,700 pounds of uranium during the second quarter of 2025 at its Pinyon Plain mine in Arizona, significantly surpassing initial site performance forecasts.
Argentina and Peru have signed an agreement expanding their scientific and technological cooperation in the civil nuclear field, including joint research projects and specialised training programmes for future development.
After several decades without funding nuclear projects, the World Bank has formed a strategic partnership with the IAEA to provide technical and financial support to countries integrating nuclear energy into their energy strategies.
South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission officially validates the decommissioning of reactor number one at the Kori plant, initiating an unprecedented project for the national industry scheduled to last until 2037.
Uranium producer enCore Energy surpasses three thousand pounds per day at its Alta Mesa ISR complex and sees three new Texas laws as a strong signal for faster nuclear production permits.
The International Atomic Energy Agency expresses concerns over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles following the abrupt suspension of inspections at key sites disrupted by recent attacks whose consequences remain uncertain.