Number of Projects Related to Small Modular Reactors Increasing in Poland

The Polish steel company KGHM Polska Miedz signed a letter of intent with the Legnica Special Economic Zone (LSEZ) to continue cooperation in the scientific and research projects and investment initiatives related to small modular reactors. The signatories will discuss the possibilities of potential joint participation in the implementation of the investment projects aimed at promoting SMR technologies.

In 2022, KGHM signed an agreement with the US Company NuScale Power to carry out preliminary work, which is the first step of KGHM in implementing small modular reactor technology. The objective is to deploy the first NuScale VOYGR SMR power plant in Poland already in 2029. KGHM is exploring the possibility in using SMR technology to repurpose or replace the operating coal power plants and supply power and heat for industrial processes. VOYGR will have six modules, each with an installed capacity of 77 MW. NuScale’s SMR technology received approval by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in August 2020.

In July 2022, KGHM submitted an application to the National Atomic Energy Agency of Poland for the assessment of NuScale SMR technology and preparation of site investigation, and in April this year to the Ministry of Climate and Environment for obtaining a principle decision to construct the six-module VOYGR in Poland.

The cooperation between KGHM and LSEZ aims to analyze the available technologies for SMRs and explore best practices for surveying and measuring to define further the geological and geotechnical conditions for SMR sites. Joint measures will also be taken to support the development of SMRs in Poland, including changes in the legislation related to the state funding of such projects.

The President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedz Tomasz Zdzikot noted that the goal of the project is to prove that SMR “are not only a vision of the future, but also a real answer to the energy needs in the large industry”. He added that cooperation with LSEZ is a step towards implementing this goal.

According to the Vice President of Finance at KGHM Mateusz Wodejko, nuclear energy for KGHM means energy independence and lower costs. “Investing in SMR will allow the company to maintain its business advantage on a global scale. The implementation of small modular reactors will contribute to the energy transformation of the Polish economy”.

LSEZ aims to attract investors in the south-west of Poland, in the Dolnosławskie Voivodship. Now LSEZ employs 83 investors from all over the world. In July 2022, LSEZ signed a letter of the intent with US SMR developer Last Energy and Polish DB Energy to construct a power plant that will consist of 10 SMRs with total capacity of 200 MW.

According to Nuclear Engineering International