Polish government adopts "updated nuclear power programme" to build 6-9 GW of nuclear capacity

On 5 October 2026, the Polish government formally adopted an updated nuclear power programme, confirming the construction of two large nuclear power plants with a target capacity of approximately 6 to 9 GW. The first plant, Lubiatowo-Kopalino, is located in Pomerania Province in northern Poland along the Baltic Sea coast and will use three Westinghouse AP1000 units. The first nuclear concrete pour is planned for 2028, and the three units are scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2036, 2037 and 2038 respectively, later than under the 2020 version, though the interval between units has been shortened from two years to one year.

It is understood that the project has moved from the preparatory stage to the implementation stage, with the state-owned project company Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) submitting a construction permit application to the nuclear regulatory authority PAA (Państwowa Agencja Atomistyki, PAA) in March 2026. Poland has allocated PLN 60.2 billion (approximately EUR 13.6 billion) in state equity for 2025 to 2030, with equity covering 30% of project costs and the remaining 70% coming from state-guaranteed debt financing. The European Commission approved this support model in December 2025.

The second nuclear power plant, EJ2, is planned to select its strategic partner and reactor technology in 2027, determine the site in 2028, pour first nuclear concrete in 2032, and have its first two units enter commercial operation in 2040 and 2041. EJ2 will use large Generation III+ water-cooled reactor technology, with France, Canada and the United States participating in dialogue. The preferred sites are the Bełchatów and Konin coal-fired power bases in central Poland, while Kozienice in the east and Polaniec in the southeast are also included in the analysis. The updated programme sets a minimum domestic industry participation rate of 40% by value for the first unit, with subsequent units expected to increase this; Small Modular Reactor (SMR) projects outside the state programme should serve as a complement, and Poland will prepare a separate "Polish SMR Roadmap".

It is reported that the formal adoption of this programme marks a key step for Poland in phasing out coal power and enhancing energy security, and will affect its nuclear power supply chain and the pace of regional coal-to-nuclear transition.