Finnish firms to be technical advisors for Polish plant

The scope of the framework is to support state-owned PEJ in the development of operation and maintenance processes of the new nuclear power plant in Pomerania. Following a competitive procedure, TVO subsidiary TVO Nuclear Services (TVONS) and Fortum's Nuclear Services have been selected to provide technical support, for example in the licensing and design phase of the plant and assist PEJ in developing its own internal capabilities to become an operator of a nuclear power plant.

"The agreement assumes support in terms of addressing the needs of the future operator starting already at the NPP design stage, in the performance of contracts with the consortium of Westinghouse, as the technology vendor, and Bechtel, as the main contractor, as well as cooperation and exchange of experience in the development of a fuel strategy and radioactive waste management strategy," PEJ said.

TVO and Fortum will also support PEJ in developing a training plan for employees and an action plan covering detailed scopes of tasks executed by the operator.

"Fortum and TVO differ from many other professional service providers in that we have unique experience as owners and users of nuclear power over decades," said Anni Jaarinen, Fortum's director responsible for nuclear power services. "We are satisfied that together we can contribute to Poland's energy breakthrough with strong Finnish nuclear power expertise."

"We appreciate the opportunity to support the customer and utilise our long-term expertise in planning, implementation, operation and life cycle management of nuclear power plant projects, most recently the 1600 MW pressurised water plant Olkiluoto 3," added TVONS CEO Ari Leppänen.

PEJ - a special-purpose vehicle 100% owned by the State Treasury - is responsible for the construction project of the first nuclear power plant in Poland.

In November 2022, the then Polish government selected the Westinghouse AP1000 reactor technology for construction at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in the Choczewo municipality in Pomerania in northern Poland. An agreement setting a plan for the delivery of the plant was signed in May last year by Westinghouse, Bechtel and PEJ. The country's Ministry of Climate and Environment in July issued a decision-in-principle for PEJ to construct the plant. The aim is for Poland's first AP1000 reactor to enter commercial operation in 2033.