Poland begins long-lead procurement for first AP1000 nuclear unit
Poland's state nuclear company PEJ has commissioned Westinghouse to procure long-lead items for the first AP1000 reactor at Lubiatowo-Kopalino, a critical step for the 2036 operational target.
Poland's state nuclear company Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) has commissioned US-based Westinghouse to begin procuring long-lead items for the first AP1000 unit at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino nuclear power plant. This move marks a key step in Poland's strategic push for energy security and decarbonization. The procurement follows an Engineering Development Agreement with the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium, with initial orders already placed by PEJ and Bechtel. Securing these components early is a key milestone for maintaining the project schedule and budget while enabling Polish industry to enter the nuclear supply chain.
Project timeline and strategic importance
The first AP1000 unit at Lubiatowo-Kopalino is scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2036. The full project calls for three Westinghouse AP1000 reactors. Construction of each unit is expected to take seven years. The Polish government positions the plant as a cornerstone of the national energy system, designed to meet the country's energy needs for decades and enhance its energy security.
| Unit | Target Commercial Operation Year |
|---|---|
| First | 2036 |
| Second | 2037 |
| Third | 2038 |
The total installed capacity for the three units will be 3,750 MWe. This initiative is a strategic response to long-term energy security requirements.
Contractual framework and industry participation
The procurement process is structured to integrate Polish companies into the global nuclear supply chain. Polish firms are expected to bid for contracts, provided they obtain the ASME NQA-1 international nuclear quality assurance standard. Each supplier is progressing toward full NQA-1 compliance and will receive the full project scope upon certification and successful fabrication of preproduction qualification mockups.
PEJ President Marek Woszczyk noted that ordering long-lead items early ensures control over the investment schedule and budget, as these components constitute a significant portion of total costs. Dan Lipman, President of Global Business Initiatives at Westinghouse, stated that this procurement is a key first step for Polish industry to enter the AP1000 component supply chain for projects in Poland and across Europe. The initiative supports domestic industry participation and creates future export opportunities.
PEJ plans to submit a building permit application in 2027. The company expects to pour first concrete for the foundation in the fourth quarter of 2028.
