Polimex Mostostal to Construct Assembly Halls for Polish AP1000 Nuclear Plant

Polimex Mostostal has been awarded a contract to construct two assembly halls for the Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) nuclear power plant project. These halls will support the construction of three Westinghouse AP1000 units at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in Poland. The contract encompasses engineering services, design documentation for permits, material supply, structural assembly, testing, acceptance, and final handover of both facilities.

The AP1000 reactor design utilizes modular construction, allowing for the prefabrication of large structural modules off-site and their subsequent assembly at the construction location. The reactor building and systems incorporate numerous prefabricated steel-concrete structural and mechanical modules. The assembly halls will facilitate the construction of the largest modules, including the 1,000-tonne CA01 module, containment rings, roofs, and panels for the protective building.

Each hall will measure 129 meters in length, 55 meters in width, and 44 meters in height, comparable to a 12-story office building. They will be situated adjacent to the units under construction and equipped with three overhead cranes: two with a 125-tonne lifting capacity and one with a 60-tonne capacity, designed for precise component maneuvering.

This contract underscores the strengthening of the domestic supply chain, with Polish companies gaining orders, experience, and expertise in the demanding nuclear technology sector. The total value of contracts awarded to Polish companies for the Lubiatowo-Kopalino nuclear power plant project has surpassed PLN2.2 billion (USD570 million). PEJ has signed more than 10 large contracts with Polish subcontractors this year as part of its efforts to build the supply chain and support Polish industry.

The Polish government selected Westinghouse AP1000 reactor technology for the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in November 2022. In September 2023, Westinghouse, Bechtel, and PEJ signed an 18-month engineering services contract to finalize a site-specific design for a plant featuring three AP1000 reactors. An amendment to the Engineering Development Agreement (EDA) was signed on December 29, 2025, to continue design work and geological surveys, maintaining the project schedule while negotiating the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract. The main commercial and legal terms of the EPC contract have been agreed upon, with negotiations expected to conclude by the end of this year.

PEJ submitted an application for a construction permit to Poland's National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA) on March 31, 2026. The company anticipates pouring first concrete for the plant's first unit in the fourth quarter of 2028. To meet this timeline, a construction permit from the PAA and a building permit from the Pomeranian Voivode are required. PEJ plans to submit a 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 targeted for commercial operation in 2036, the second in 2037, and the third in 2038.

Nepal to Import Power from India Following Hydropower Damage

Nepal is preparing to import up to 1,100 MW of electricity from India during the dry season, which spans from December to May 2027. This measure addresses a temporary reduction in the country's generation capacity due to recent flash floods, landslides, and heavy monsoon rains that damaged hydropower projects.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is developing a work plan for this period, as electricity generation from run-of-the-river hydropower projects typically declines significantly during the dry season, while demand increases. The combined impact of the Bhotekoshi floods and subsequent heavy rainfall has resulted in a loss of approximately 640 MW of generation capacity.

Despite the damage to its hydropower infrastructure, Nepal is currently exporting between 600 MW and 700 MW of electricity to India. Cross-border electricity trade between India and Nepal has expanded in recent years, allowing Nepal to export surplus power during the wet monsoon months and import during the dry season.

India Focuses on Integrated Energy System for Future Growth

India's energy sector is moving beyond capacity expansion to focus on creating an integrated energy system capable of managing diverse sources, growing industrial and digital infrastructure, and changing demand. This new approach prioritizes resilient infrastructure, domestic capabilities, and diversified supply chains.

The electricity grid is emerging as a critical component, requiring integrated planning for generation, transmission, and demand. Transmission networks, storage solutions, and distribution systems must evolve rapidly to absorb and deliver power from various sources. Storage is increasingly viewed as a core system asset, not merely an adjunct to renewable energy, with battery energy storage systems playing a key role in flexibility and reliability.

The expansion of AI and data centers is creating new, power-intensive demand, making power availability, quality, and efficiency crucial for investment decisions. India's energy transition will remain multi-energy, with hydrocarbons continuing to support reliability and industrial activity alongside cleaner technologies. Workforce transformation, including reskilling for a digital and multi-energy sector, is also a vital part of this transition.