Poland delays first nuclear power plant by three years to 2036
The government updated its nuclear strategy, pushing back the opening of Poland's first reactor to 2036 and the second to 2040, three and one years behind previous targets respectively.
Poland's government has updated its nuclear strategy for the first time in six years, with the new document acknowledging that the country's first-ever nuclear plant will go online in 2036, three years later than previously planned, and the second in 2040, one year behind schedule.
The first plant, which will have a total capacity of about 3.75 GW, is being built in partnership with an American consortium made up of Westinghouse and Bechtel in the municipality of Chorzewo on the Baltic coast. The European Commission last year approved Polish state aid for the project, which is set to receive 60.2 billion zloty (€13.8 billion) in public support between 2025 and 2030.
The expansion of nuclear power is part of a broader effort to reduce Poland's traditional reliance on coal, which currently generates around half of the country's electricity. Poland's first offshore wind farm has begun to deliver electricity, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk celebrating the development as a "key element of our energy security and sovereignty," with the government wanting 20% of power to come from offshore wind by 2040.
What this means for expats: If you're planning a long-term stay in Poland or have property investments, these delays signal extended reliance on traditional energy sources and coal for the next decade, which may affect energy prices and environmental policies. The diversification into nuclear and renewables should eventually stabilize energy costs, but short-term volatility is likely.
Sources
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