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12 firms join Bechtel to kickstart Polish nuclear sector

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Poland has vowed to turbocharge its nuclear sector by 2033 in a bid to diversify its energy markets and shift away from fossil fuels such as coal. A new government-backed project spearheaded by US engineering firm Bechtel will see the development of two more plants and create thousands of new jobs.

12 of Poland's largest industry players, including general contractor Budimex, Hitachi Energy Poland, ILF Consulting Polska, Mostostal Warzsawa and Polimex Mostosta signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the engineering firm in the presence of the US Ambassador Mark Brzezinski.

One plant, a three-reactor core set to be built on the Baltic Sea coast, will be the first civil nuclear plant in Poland. Bechtel has partnered with Westinghouse Electric Company for use of its AP1000 reactors in both plants.

Each of the companies at the signing will provide some service for the plant's construction, from earthwork and infrastructure to concrete, tunnelling, electrical installations and heavy cranes.

Read more: Poland should drop gas & embrace renewables, report urges

These agreements, among others, form part of the Polish government's €40 billion stimulus package for its nuclear sector. At the time of writing, Poland has no active nuclear reactors, although building plans have been submitted by several companies.

“Construction of these power plants would require Polish expertise and thousands of skilled, Polish workers,” said Ahmet Tokpinar, general manager of Bechtel’s Nuclear Power business line.

“As the EPC partner for these projects, Bechtel intends to join with a large number of Polish companies as key members of our subcontracting team. Now is the time to identify these future partners in the supply chain," he added.

Bechtel has constructed around 150 reactors worldwide and wants to play a role in helping nuclear become more popular in Europe.

Despite its heavy upfront costs and the risks associated with failure, nuclear is considered one of the few viable ways to fully shift away from fossil fuels due to a single reactor being able to generate large amounts of power.

Poland, in particular, has been under heavy pressure to quit coal, which currently accounts for 73% of its energy mix. Mines in the nation are being repeatedly fined by the EU, and there have been coal mining disasters of late that have only increased pressure against fossil fuels.

The Túrow mine, on the Czech border, is considered particularly controversial. It has been the subject of strikes due to the EU demanding its closure, which the Polish Prime Minister has refused to do. The mine is currently scheduled for closure in 2044 when it is expected to be depleted.

Despite this, in April 2021, the Polish government signed a "historic" deal to close all its coal mines by 2049 - one year before the bloc aims to be net-zero.

In total, the nation needs around 164 TWh of power just for its electricity needs, and is not yet known what any of the planned reactors will be.

Read more: Editorial: "Reasons to be cheerful" - Some glimmers of light in uncertain times

However, there have been significant strides in renewable energy, particularly wind energy, in Poland in the last decade. In 2020, renewables accounted for 10% of its energy generation.

Regarding the deal, US Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski said that partnerships to phase out fossil fuels and bolster infrastructure "signals another important step forward," adding that it forms another crucial pillar in a diplomatic relationship that has lasted over 100 years and a nuclear partnership cemented back in March.

"The US Embassy in Poland is pleased to support Bechtel and Westinghouse as they select local Polish suppliers for this strategic project."

The US is also set to provide Poland with liquefied natural gas (LNG) due to the Russia-Ukraine war. The EU as a whole is looking to wean itself off Russian gas by looking into renewable generation and international partners such as the US.

However, the US is not the only partnership Poland has forged in a bid to turbocharge its nuclear sector. Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) has offered six reactors to Poland, and Finland has also offered Poland a role in its nuclear scheme. France's EDF has also offered to work with Poland's nuclear sector.

However, not everyone accepts the country's transition. According to Notes from Poland, Germany - which is still set to close its remaining three nuclear plants by the end of the year - is prepared to use "legal instruments" in response to its nuclear plans, primarily along the two countries' borders.

Nuclear power is particularly unpopular in Germany and officials are concerned about how nuclear waste will be stored and disposed of, with many arguing that nuclear energy is inherently unsafe. 

The debate over renewable energy versus nuclear has been raging for decades. Typically nuclear has large upfront costs and long building times, but many climate experts suggest it may be the best way for higher low-carbon output. 

Detractors say the long and expensive building times mean it is not a viable solution to stopping climate change, which could become irreversible within a few decades. They also suggest that renewables are more economically sustainable and less prone to meltdowns.

Both are far safer than fossil fuels, however. While there have been three major nuclear incidents in recent memory, with the most recent being the Fukashima disaster in 2011, nuclear ranks around the same as wind or solar energy in terms of deaths per kilowatt-hour.

According to a report from Our World in Data, the death rates for nuclear, hydropower, solar and wind are so low that, statistically, it would take decades for a single person to die related to the power generation. It is suggested they also save lives by displacing fossil fuels and reducing air pollution.

However, the issue of construction remains another pressing environmental topic, as nuclear plants require a significant amount of both concrete and steel - both carbon-intensive sectors. But green alternatives for both have sprung up in recent years.

Read more: Steeling the future: Using hydrogen to make green steel

In total, the 12 firms who signed the MoU, were:

Bechtel has revealed that more companies will be joining this partnership in the future.

Construction is set to commence once the plans have been finalised.

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