Poland begins ordering long-lead components for first AP1000

Long-lead items are typically thought of as heavy forgings and castings for pressure vessels, steam turbines and generators. With a limited number of heavy engineering plants able to make to make such components, these - and other engineered components in the reactor supply chain, as well as items such as control software - often need to be ordered many years in advance of installation work.

Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) said the scope of the order for the first Polish unit covers six key components of the nuclear island, including the reactor containment vessel and associated structural modules. It noted that the containment vessel is one of the most technologically advanced and complex components of a nuclear power plant, requiring years of production and delivery from specialised suppliers who meet the highest quality and safety standards.

The procurement process for key components with long lead times is being initiated under the current Engineering Development Agreement (EDA) between PEJ and the Westinghouse-Bechtel Consortium. PEJ and Westinghouse anticipate that Polish companies that successfully complete the process of obtaining the international ASME NQA-1 quality standard will compete for the contracts.

Early procurement of components with long lead times is common in nuclear projects worldwide. It helps secure the availability of production capacity, mitigates the risk of delays, and supports timely project implementation. The scope of work includes preparing technical documentation, quality and supervision plans, selecting and contracting suppliers, and initiating material procurement necessary to commence production. The production and delivery of finished components to the construction site will be handled as part of a subsequent order, which PEJ plans to issue as part of the power plant construction contract.

"Thanks to the agreement between PEJ and the Consortium on the main commercial terms of the EPC contract in September, we are now ready to take the next step: to begin the process of ordering long-term lead-time (LLI) components," said Wojciech Wrochna, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Energy, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure. "We adopted this approach to allow ourselves time for further detailed negotiations on the EPC contract, without the pressure that failure to order LLI would impact the investment schedule. A good contract, properly balancing responsibilities and establishing cooperation mechanisms during the construction phase, is key to the project's success in the years to come."

PEJ President Marek Woszczyk added: "In nuclear projects, proper preparation and time management are crucial. We have already ordered the first long lead items, for which Bechtel is responsible, and we are now beginning this process with Westinghouse, which is responsible for the broadly defined nuclear portion of the plant. This ensures we secure not only the investment schedule but also its budget. Ordered items constitute a significant portion of the costs, so starting work well in advance allows for better control of expenses in subsequent years."

"The procurement of long-lead components represents a key milestone for this important project and helps ensure its timely completion," said Dan Lipman, President of Global Business Initiatives, Westinghouse. "Furthermore, and even more importantly, it is a crucial first step in enabling Polish industry to enter the nuclear component supply chain for power plants and maximise its participation in Poland and in future AP1000 power plant projects in Europe."

The background

In November 2022, the then Polish government selected Westinghouse AP1000 reactor technology for construction at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in the Choczewo municipality in Pomerania in northern Poland. In September 2023, Westinghouse, Bechtel and PEJ - a special-purpose vehicle 100% owned by Poland's State Treasury - signed an 18-month engineering services contract under which Westinghouse and Bechtel will finalise a site-specific design for a plant featuring three AP1000 reactors. In April last year, PEJ and the Westinghouse-Bechtel Consortium agreed the terms and conditions of an Engineering Development Agreement (EDA) after the previous agreement expired.

On 29 December 2025, PEJ announced it had signed an amendment to the Engineering Development Agreement with the Westinghouse-Bechtel Consortium. The amended scope of the agreement provides for the continuation of design works covering the nuclear island, turbine island, and the balance of plant, as well as further in-depth geological survey campaigns. This, it said, allows it to maintain the project schedule by advancing the power plant design and continuing field works, while simultaneously conducting negotiations and finalising the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract, "which will ultimately determine our cooperation with the Westinghouse-Bechtel Consortium".

Last month, the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium and PEJ announced they had agreed the main commercial and legal terms of the EPC contract, and plan to complete the contract negotiation process by the end of this year.

On 31 March this year, PEJ submitted an application to the President of Poland's National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA) for a construction permit. The company said it expects to pour first concrete for the plant's first unit in the fourth quarter of 2028. In order to meet this schedule, PEJ must obtain both a construction permit from the PAA and a building permit from the Pomeranian Voivode. PEJ said it plans to submit a building permit application in 2027.

Construction of each reactor is expected to take about seven years. This will be followed by approximately one year of testing and commissioning. The aim is for the first reactor to begin commercial operation in 2036, the second in 2037, and the third in 2038.