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France's EDF offers to build nuclear reactors in Poland

14.10.2021 15:30
France’s state-controlled utility EDF has offered to build up to six nuclear reactors in Poland, with a total installed capacity of up to 9.9 GWe, a business website has reported.
Frances state-controlled utility EDF has offered to build four to six nuclear reactors in Poland, with a total installed capacity of up to 9.9 GWe.
France’s state-controlled utility EDF has offered to build four to six nuclear reactors in Poland, with a total installed capacity of up to 9.9 GWe.Pixabay License: Image by Markus Distelrath from Pixabay

The "preliminary, non-binding offer" made by the French energy giant to the Polish government on Wednesday covers engineering, procurement and construction, the energetyka24.com website reported.

EDF said in an English-language statement that its proposal to build "four to six" European Pressurised Reactors (EPR), with a total installed capacity of 6.6 to 9.9 GWe "across two to three sites" was in line with Warsaw’s ambitious Polish Nuclear Energy Programme adopted last year as Poland embarks on energy transition, "aligned with the European carbon neutrality target."

EDF added that its offer would contribute to the country’s energy independence, providing electricity for at least 60 years and meeting up to 40 percent of Poland's current demand, as well as “avoiding up to 55 million tons of CO2 emissions per year, thanks to a safe, reliable, dispatchable and CO2-free energy source.”    

Moreover, the project is set to create 25,000 "local jobs per twin of EPR" during the construction phase, as well as tens of thousands of indirect jobs, the French group said in its statement. 

The state-controlled company, which opened an office in Warsaw in July, also said it had the full support of the French authorities in joining Poland’s nuclear energy programme. 

In recent months, entities from the United States, Japan and South Korea have also emerged as candidates to help Poland build its first nuclear power plant.

Poland's first nuclear power plant to start in 2033

The first unit of a new Polish nuclear power plant is expected to be put into operation in 2033, under a long-term energy policy adopted by the government earlier this year.

Then further units are expected to come online every two to three years until a total of six, with a combined capacity of up to 9 GW, are in service, Polish state news agency PAP has reported.

(pm/gs)

Source: energetyka24.comedf.fr