Poland seeks a partner for its second nuclear power plant. It will not be easy

Poland will begin searching for an investor for its second nuclear power plant in June this year. This time, the process will be more complex, as the country is not only seeking a technology supplier but also a strategic partner that will take an equity stake in the project.

Poland is continuing to decarbonise its energy sector, which remains heavily dependent on electricity generation from hard coal and lignite. While coal-fired generation still accounted for approximately three quarters of total electricity generation in 2021, this year its share is slightly above half. Solar and wind power plants, in which Poland is investing heavily, have made a major contribution.

In addition to investments in solar and wind power plants, Poland also intends to invest in nuclear generation. It has already selected a supplier for its first units: in 2022, the Polish government chose US company Westinghouse, which is to build up to three nuclear units in Poland with a combined installed capacity of approximately 3,300 MWe.