Poland prepares six SMRs, Indonesia plans floating nuclear power plants

Development of new nuclear capacity in Europe and Asia is advancing through further investment agreements and technical milestones. Poland is developing large- and small-reactor projects, Indonesia has reached an agreement with Rosatom on electricity supplies from floating nuclear power plants, and a Chinese demonstration SMR has entered the next phase of pre-operational testing.

Polish companies SGE and ZE PAK signed an agreement on 13 October to establish a joint venture, PAK BWRX, which will focus on building small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Pątnów site near the city of Konin. Up to six BWRX-300 boiling water reactors from GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, with a combined electrical output of approximately 1,800 MW, could be built at the site of the gradually phased-out coal-fired power plant.

The establishment of the joint venture is still subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities. Under the agreement, SGE is to acquire a majority stake and be responsible for managing the project. Through its subsidiary, ZE PAK will prepare the land for its new use and subsequently transfer it to the joint venture. The agreement thus paves the way for the existing coal plant site to be used for nuclear power.

SGE, formerly known as Synthos Green Energy, is also involved in preparing other Polish BWRX-300 projects through the Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) joint venture. OSGE is seeking to establish a state support scheme for the first phase of a programme covering 14 reactors at three sites. The Pątnów project, however, is a separate collaboration between SGE and the ZE PAK group.

Westinghouse starts ordering components for Poland's first nuclear power plant

Progress has also been made on the state-backed project for Poland's first large nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in the north of the country. On 8 October, Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) commissioned US company Westinghouse to order long-lead items for the first of three planned AP1000 units. The orders cover six key components for the nuclear island, including the reactor containment vessel steel structure and associated construction modules.

Starting the orders makes it possible to continue preparations for manufacturing technologically complex equipment before the main engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the plant is signed. PEJ agreed on the basic commercial terms of the contract with the Westinghouse–Bechtel consortium in September. Under the current schedule, the first unit is expected to begin supplying electricity in 2036. However, placing the orders does not mean construction of the nuclear island has begun.

Indonesia wants to use floating power plants from Rosatom

Russian state-owned company Rosatom signed an agreement on 16 October with Indonesian company PT Pembangkit Listrik Nuklir on electricity supplies from floating nuclear power plants. Two FPU-100 floating power units, with a combined electrical output of 200 MW, are to be located in the north of Halmahera Island in North Maluku province. Each is to use RITM-200M reactors, based on technology originally developed for Russian nuclear icebreakers.

According to Rosatom, the project is to be financed by private investors, without direct use of Indonesia's state budget. Rosatom expects electricity supplies to begin no earlier than five years after the key contractual terms enter into force. This is therefore not a firm, confirmed commissioning date. The Russian company is also promoting a broader vision for the development of Indonesia's nuclear power sector, which could include large onshore nuclear power plants following the deployment of the floating units.

Chinese SMR Linglong One undergoes hot functional testing

At China's Changjiang nuclear power plant on Hainan Island, the ACP100 demonstration small modular reactor, also known as Linglong One, has entered the hot functional testing phase. The integral pressurized water reactor, developed by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), has an electrical output of 125 MW, and construction began in July 2021.

During hot functional testing, the primary circuit is heated and pressurised to conditions close to those in operation, allowing the functionality, tightness and interaction of the plant's technological and safety systems to be verified before nuclear fuel is loaded. The unit successfully completed cold functional testing in October 2025. According to Chinese media, the aim is to load fuel and connect the unit to the grid during 2026. Meeting the schedule, however, will depend on the results of further tests and licensing steps.

While China's ACP100 is already undergoing pre-operational testing, the projects in Poland and Indonesia remain in the preparatory stages. Their progress will depend primarily on completing the permitting processes, securing financing and signing subsequent supply contracts.