Planning Permission Sets Stage for Poland’s First Nuclear Plant Construction
Poland is set to begin construction on its first nuclear power plant this year, marking a significant milestone in securing planning permission for its low-carbon energy future.
Following an extensive planning permission process, Poland’s flagship nuclear power initiative will be developed at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site on the Baltic Sea coast. The project includes three Westinghouse AP1000 reactors, each with a capacity of 1,250MW, designed to help the country reduce carbon emissions from its electricity generation.
In 2025, Polish authorities, including the National Atomic Energy Agency, granted essential permits enabling preparatory works such as site clearance, levelling, and surveying. This groundwork paves the way for full construction, anticipated to start by the end of the year or early 2026, pending final investment decisions and An Bord Pleanála decision analogues in local context.
The project, valued at approximately €42 billion, benefits from substantial state support, including equity injection covering 30% of costs and government guarantees for project debt. Crucially, it also enjoys a 40-year contract for difference mechanism ensuring revenue stability regardless of market fluctuation, which is vital to secure investment confidence and mitigate environmental impact risks associated with delayed or stalled development.
Concurrently, the nuclear developer, Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ), has established engineering partnerships with global firms Westinghouse Electric Company and Bechtel. They are finalising designs and procurement ahead of signing the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) agreement expected by the end of 2025. This step is critical to transition from flood-risk development assessments and environmental impact evaluations towards substantive site works.
The project complements Poland’s broader energy strategy, which also includes pioneering advances like constructing Europe’s first small modular reactor (SMR) in Włocławek, undertaken by Polish company Orlen with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy technology. Together, these initiatives aim for a safer, more sustainable electricity supply and long-term energy independence.
Planning permission and regulatory approvals have been instrumental in shaping the project’s trajectory, ensuring compliance with stringent environmental standards and land-use policies that mitigate material contravention and community concerns. The process illustrates Poland’s methodical approach to balancing ambitious housing scheme approval-like scrutiny and industrial development.
The first unit at Lubiatowo-Kopalino is targeted for commissioning in 2033, with others following in subsequent years. This timeline aligns with Poland’s commitment to diversify energy sources and meet EU climate targets. The government’s active role in securing An Bord Pleanála-equivalent approvals underscores the significance with which it treats this major infrastructure project.
Originally reported in on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:36:07 +0000. Full story
