Poland is at a transformational moment as it prepares for a clean energy future – having selected Westinghouse’s advanced AP1000® technology for the first three reactors for its nuclear energy program.
In support of this visionary nuclear power plant project, Westinghouse recently held a three-day, in-depth technical training in Warsaw for the seven key suppliers previously down selected for the project - Polimex Mostostal Siedlce, Baltic Operator (Grupa Przemyslowa Baltic), Mostostal Kielce, Mostostal Krakow, ZKS Ferrum, Famak and Energomontaz-Polnoc Gdynia. The training is part of the preparation for the execution phase of the project in Lubiatowo-Kopalino.
“At Westinghouse, we are focused on localization through our ‘We Buy Where We Build’ approach,” said Sean Jones, senior director of Westinghouse Energy Systems Account Management & Procurement Execution. “This means we invest in local Polish companies to build the country’s supply chain now, while supporting other European projects in the future.”
The workshop included an overview of the Polish project and other AP1000 technology opportunities in the region, as well as Westinghouse’s unwavering commitment to quality and safety. In-depth, technical workstreams were held to further detail:
“This successful workshop is another important demonstration of our partnership with Polish companies and commitment to Poland’s clean energy future,” said Miroslaw Kowalik, president of Westinghouse Poland. “The selection of the advanced AP1000 technology represents a 100-year partnership between Poland and the United States, and we are thrilled to leverage impressive suppliers like these to help execute this work that will positively shape generations to come.”
The Polish project is being implemented by Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ), a state-owned company responsible for implementation and execution of the Polish Nuclear Energy Program (PPEJ). The Program will deliver safe and reliable Generation III+ pressurized water reactors – the first three will be built using advanced AP1000 technology at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino location in the Pomerania region. The supplier down selection process was conducted by Westinghouse in a transparent and competitive manner considering requirements of quality assurance applicable to nuclear island equipment.
The advanced AP1000 reactor is the only Generation III+ reactor in operation with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design and the smallest footprint per MWe. There are six AP1000 reactors operating across the world: two AP1000 units at the Vogtle site in Georgia, along with four AP1000 units currently setting performance and availability records in China with eight additional reactors under construction. The AP1000 technology has also been selected for nuclear energy programs in Ukraine and Bulgaria and is under consideration for sites in Central and Eastern Europe, the UK, India and North America.