The new centre was one of the projects agreed under a Polish-American intergovernmental agreement signed in October 2020. According to the Polish government, the agreement included areas of cooperation such as the regulatory framework, research, personnel training, development of supply chains, public awareness campaigning and cooperation on nuclear energy projects in Europe.
Westinghouse, which has already opened an office in Warsaw, is hoping to deploy its AP1000 nuclear power plant in Poland. There are four AP1000 plants in operation in China and two under construction at Vogtle in the US.
Poland wants to build from 6,000 to 9,000 MW of installed nuclear capacity based on proven, large-scale, pressurised water nuclear reactors of the Generation III and III+ design. Commercial operation of a first nuclear reactor unit in a proposed set of six is earmarked for 2033.
In September 2020, in an update of its energy strategy by 2040, the country confirmed plans to spend $40bn to realise the new-build plans.
In July 2021, French state-controlled energy group EDF opened an office in Warsaw to support the preparation of a nuclear offer tailored to meet Poland’s nuclear plans.
EDF said the move confirmed its long-term commitment to support the Polish nuclear ambition by proposing the development of four to six EPR units in the country.