NEA visits Poland as nuclear power programme makes progress

NEA Director-General Magwood at the University of Warsaw

NEA Director-General Magwood addresses more than 200 students and local residents at the University of Warsaw

NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV was in Poland on 30-31 May 2023 for a series of meetings with representatives from the government, research and academic institutions, and private industry. 

Poland began its nuclear power programme in 2014 to ensure energy security and address climate, environmental and economic challenges. Updated in 2020, the programme sets out plans for construction and commissioning of the country’s first nuclear power plants, with a total installed nuclear capacity of 6-9 GWe. In addition to building large-scale Generation III+ reactors, a number of energy-intensive industrial companies in Poland are working towards upgrading plants to include small modular reactors (SMRs).

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Director-General Magwood met with Anna Moskwa, Minister of Climate and Environment of Poland, to discuss current and future co-operation

During a meeting with Anna Moskwa, Minister of Climate and Environment of Poland, Director-General Magwood highlighted Poland’s participation in many NEA activities. Their discussions also touched on the latest developments in the context of Poland’s nuclear power programme, global progress towards SMR deployment and the NEA’s work assessing and tracking it, as well as challenges related to human resources and supply chains in the nuclear sector.

“Many countries around the world are pursuing new nuclear energy capacity to ensure reliable, affordable and low-carbon electricity, and Poland is one of them. This country has made remarkable progress in recent years in advancing its nuclear power programme and we look forward to expanding further our co-operation,” said Director-General Magwood.

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NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV, and President of the Polish National Atomic Energy Agency (PPA) Andrzej Głowacki

Director-General Magwood also met with Andrzej Głowacki, President of the Polish National Atomic Energy Agency (PPA), to discuss regulatory issues related to the preparation of the licensing process.

The mission featured visits to the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology (ICHTJ), the National Centre for Nuclear Research and the MARIA research reactor.

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Visit to the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology (ICHTJ)

During a visit to the University of Warsaw, Director-General Magwood delivered a lecture entitled “The 21st century nuclear resurgence: Opportunities and challenges” to more than 200 students and local residents. He also visited Tadeusz Czacki High School, where he talked to the students about nuclear energy’s role in mitigating climate change.

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Director-General Magwood delivers a lecture at Tadeusz Czacki High School on nuclear energy’s role in mitigating climate change

The two-day mission included meetings with representatives of SMR vendor companies as well as a press briefing session with journalists from various Polish media outlets.

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