Site confirmed for Poland's first small modular reactor

The first Polish small modular reactor now has a designated site, Polish state-owned energy company Orlen reported. The siting decision came after Orlen and Synthos Green Energy agreed on the operating model for their joint venture, which will oversee the construction and operation of small modular reactors.

The small modular reactor (SMR) will be built in Włocławek, one of seven locations that underwent geological surveys in 2023. The other sites under consideration were Dąbrowa Górnicza, Ostrołęka, Stawy Monowskie, Nowa Huta and the Tarnobrzeg special economic zone. The surveys were intended to determine whether the sites were suitable for an SMR.

The power plant to be built in Włocławek will use the BWRX-300 small modular reactor technology from GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEVH). GEVH holds exclusive rights to this plant in Poland.

Based on surveys at six locations, Poland's Ministry of Climate and Environment issued a decision on the principles for SMR siting in December 2023. In February this year, Poland's General Director for Environmental Protection issued the scope of environmental reports for the proposed SMR projects in Włocławek and Ostrołęka, allowing environmental and siting studies to begin at the two locations.

Cooperation between Orlen and Synthos Green Energy

Orlen and Synthos Green Energy have also signed an agreement on the OSGE joint venture, which consists of two key components.

The first is a revised version of the company's articles of association and shareholders' agreement, under which Orlen and Synthos Green Energy each hold a 50% stake. The changes ensure equal rights for both shareholders and strengthen Orlen's control over the company's strategic matters.

The amended articles of association also introduce a management committee responsible for overseeing and managing the implementation of the agreement, as well as making decisions on operational matters concerning OSGE and the special-purpose companies established to deliver subsequent reactor projects.

The second component is a licensing agreement granting OSGE full access to the BWRX-300 reactor technology developed in the United States. This means construction of the power plant will face no further obstacles and can proceed. Construction will be the responsibility of a special-purpose company controlled by the group.

BWRX-300 modular reactor

The BWRX-300 SMR is a water-cooled reactor with natural circulation and passive safety systems. It uses the design and licensing basis of the ESBWR boiling water reactor, certified by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the existing licensed GNF2 fuel design. The SMR has an output of 300 MWe.

The Canadian province of Ontario recently approved the construction of the first BWRX-300 reactor at Ontario Power Generation's Darlington site. This Canadian project is intended to serve as a reference project for OSGE. Studies assessing the construction of this type of SMR are also underway in Nordic countries.