Canada and Poland sign agreement on nuclear energy cooperation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concluded his visit to Warsaw by signing an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also signed the agreement alongside him.

The agreement covers cooperation in several key areas, including the provision of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes, research and development, nuclear safety, the use of nuclear materials, technical education, and the exchange of specialists and experts..

Justin Trudeau stressed the importance of this cooperation: “By working together on nuclear technologies, Canada and Poland are advancing innovation and accelerating efforts to ensure energy security.” The agreement is intended to support Canadian innovators, create well-paid jobs and connect Polish and Canadian expertise in the sector.

“It is proof of Canada’s commitment to building a safer future together with our closest allies,” Trudeau said.

The nuclear cooperation agreement complements other initiatives to strengthen bilateral relations between Canada and Poland, including the Agreement on the Protection of Classified Information (GSOIA), signed earlier this month. GSOIA is intended to streamline information-sharing between the two countries and create business opportunities for companies in the defence, security, aerospace, maritime and nuclear industries.

Cooperation with Westinghouse and construction of an AP1000 reactor

In November 2022, the then Polish government selected Westinghouse’s AP1000 reactor technology for the construction of Poland’s first nuclear power plant. Construction is planned at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in the municipality of Choczewo, in Pomerania in northern Poland.

In May 2023, Westinghouse, Bechtel and Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) signed an agreement setting out plans for the construction of the nuclear power plant. The Ministry of Climate and Environment issued a key construction permit in July, with the first AP1000 reactor expected to begin commercial operation in 2033.

Canadian company Cameco, one of the world’s largest suppliers of nuclear fuel, acquired Westinghouse in 2023 in a strategic partnership with Brookfield Asset Management and its affiliate Brookfield Renewable Partners.

Donald Tusk commented: “Westinghouse is the main technology supplier for our first nuclear power plant, which we are just beginning to build. The company is owned by Canadian companies, which further strengthens our cooperation. This agreement is of strategic importance to us.”

Financial support from Export Development Canada

In December, PEJ announced that it had received a statement of intent to invest from the Canadian agency Export Development Canada (EDC), worth up to 2.02 billion Canadian dollars (approximately CZK 34 billion), to support construction of Poland’s first nuclear power plant.

This agreement marks a significant step in the development of nuclear energy in Poland and strengthens energy cooperation between the two countries.