Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) has commenced the procurement process for long-lead components for the first AP1000 reactor in Poland. This initial order encompasses six critical components for the nuclear island, notably the reactor containment vessel and its associated structural modules. The containment vessel is recognized as a highly complex and technologically advanced component, requiring extensive production time from specialized suppliers adhering to stringent quality and safety standards.
The procurement is being conducted under the existing Engineering Development Agreement (EDA) between PEJ and the Westinghouse-Bechtel Consortium. This early procurement strategy is standard practice in nuclear projects globally, designed to ensure the availability of manufacturing capacity, reduce the risk of project delays, and facilitate adherence to the overall project timeline. The scope of work includes the preparation of technical documentation, quality and supervision plans, supplier selection and contracting, and the initiation of material procurement necessary for manufacturing.
Wojciech Wrochna, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Energy and Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure, stated that the agreement on main commercial terms for the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract in September enabled this next step. This approach allows for continued detailed negotiations on the EPC contract without impacting the investment schedule due to component lead times. PEJ President Marek Woszczyk emphasized that ordering these items in advance helps secure both the investment schedule and budget, as these components represent a significant portion of the total costs.
Dan Lipman, President of Global Business Initiatives at Westinghouse, highlighted that this procurement is a key milestone for the project's timely completion. He also noted its importance in enabling Polish industry to integrate into the nuclear component supply chain for power plants, maximizing its participation in projects within Poland and future AP1000 projects across Europe.
In November 2022, the Polish government selected Westinghouse AP1000 reactor technology for the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site. In September 2023, Westinghouse, Bechtel, and PEJ signed an 18-month engineering services contract to finalize a site-specific design for a plant with three AP1000 reactors. An amendment to the EDA, signed on December 29, 2025, ensures the continuation of design work and geological surveys, maintaining the project schedule while EPC contract negotiations proceed. The main commercial and legal terms of the EPC contract were agreed upon last month, with full contract negotiation expected by the end of this year.
PEJ submitted a construction permit application to Poland's National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA) on March 31 of this year. The company anticipates pouring the first concrete for the initial unit in the fourth quarter of 2028. To meet this target, both a construction permit from the PAA and a building permit from the Pomeranian Voivode are required. PEJ plans to submit the building permit application in 2027. Each reactor's construction is projected to take approximately seven years, followed by about one year of testing and commissioning. The first reactor is slated for commercial operation in 2036, followed by the second in 2037, and the third in 2038.