Polish state-owned utility Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) has signed an engineering services agreement with a consortium of Westinghouse Electric and Bechtel, enabling site work to start at the country’s first nuclear power plant at Lubiatowo-Kopalino in Pomerania.

The scope of the contract includes confirming site-specific design details for three of Westinghouse’s AP1000 nuclear reactors, power generating turbines and the balance of plant works.

The fulfilment of the contract, which also includes supporting the utility to prepare for licence applications and training programmes, along with operations and maintenance procedures, will take 18 months.

The nuclear power plant is expected to begin operations in 2033 and will help support the country’s transition towards generating carbon-free energy.

The AP1000 is an advanced third-generation nuclear reactor that uses pressurised water reactor technology. Each of the AP1000 units has 1.27GW of power generating capacity.

Westinghouse president and CEO Patrick Fragman stated: “This is a transformational moment for Poland, for our partners and for Westinghouse. The breadth of the work we are performing here, as we create the foundations of a nuclear energy programme where none existed before, will be a model for other countries that seek decarbonisation and energy security through safe, reliable nuclear energy. Poland is to be commended for showing the way forward.”

Bechtel president and chief operating officer Craig Albert stated: “Poland’s first nuclear power plant is a historic project, vital to the country’s energy security and energy transition goals.

“We are excited to bring Bechtel’s seven decades of global nuclear power expertise to this effort, and we are proud to partner with PEJ, Westinghouse and the thousands of local Polish construction workers and suppliers who will join together to make this project a success.”

In September 2023, Westinghouse and Bechtel signed a consortium agreement to design and build the nuclear plant.

This followed the selection of Westinghouse by the Polish Government for the construction of the plant in October 2022.