Poland signs deal with Korea on nuclear plant

Poland has announced it will use Korean technology in the development of a new nuclear power station in the central Polish town of Patnow.

The letter of intent for the development of the Patnow plant was signed in Seoul (Image: Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)

The agreement was made on October 31, between Poland’s state assets minister, Jacek Sasin, and the Korean energy minister, Lee Chang-Yang.

Meanwhile, Polish energy firm PGE and electricity provider ZE PAK signed a letter of intent with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power in Seoul, agreeing to use Korea’s APR 1400 reactor technology as part of a construction plan for the Patnow plant.

The initial development – including an environmental impact analysis and financing model – plan is expected to be completed before the end of the year. At this point, a timeline for the project will be made public.

The Polish Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, said he believed the agreement would strengthen Poland’s energy security, as well as providing thousands of jobs for Polish people.

“The Law and Justice government is carrying out a further investment, strategic for Poland, with the aim of strengthening our sovereignty in the field of energy security,” he said.

“At the same time, it is an investment bringing thousands of jobs in high-tech sectors, ensuring the transfer of knowledge and stable income streams, both for the central budget and for the local governments on whose land the investment will be situated.

“It is also a developmental stimulus for a range of Polish companies, suppliers and partners.”