Leading the way

On the frontier of new technology

According to World Nuclear Association, despite progress in the transition, Poland still derives about 70% of its electricity from coal. However, with public sentiment now favorable to the construction of new nuclear plants—or simply replacing existing coal boilers with SMRs—Poland is poised to become the proving ground for the latest generation of nuclear technology.

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BWRX-300 is a breakthrough technology which, simultaneously, builds on GE Hitachi's decades of experience in nuclear power. It is safe, stable, and at the same time responds to modern challenges in the area of combating climate change.

Dagmara Peret

Country Executive, GE Hitachi Poland

~20

SMRs planned for construction

75%

public sentiment in favor of nuclear power

SMR benefits

Smarter, safer, faster, more economical SMRs

GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 technology represents the latest evolution of the economic simplified boiling water reactor (ESBWR). Merging proven ESBWR technology with advanced construction solutions and innovative building technologies results in an SMR, a reactor that is smarter, safer, faster to construct, and less costly to operate.

Innovative construction

Modular and open-top construction enables a BWRX-300 to be built in 24–36 months with 50% less concrete.

Proven technology

Built on a 60+-year legacy of developing BWR nuclear reactors currently operating around the globe.

Economical advantages

Offers up to 60% less capital cost per MW compared to large reactors and even other SMR designs.

Frequently asked questions

Certainty comes with experience

Is nuclear power a clean technology?

A nuclear power plant’s carbon footprint is miniscule compared to units based on fossil fuels. If all the world’s coal and natural gas plants were replaced with low-carbon nuclear power units, global CO2 emissions would be reduced by nearly 13 billion tons annually.

Does Poland use nuclear power?

Currently, Poland operates only a single research reactor named Maria. Unfortunately, it is not used for electricity production.

However, since the Polish cabinet’s 2005 decision to embrace energy diversification—and move away from its heavy reliance on coal—the prospect for building new, new-generation nuclear plants (including SMRs developed by GEH) in Poland has never seemed more realistic.

Does a nuclear power plant take up a large amount of land?

Nuclear energy is the most land-efficient technology. It requires only 2.4 km²/TWh per year. However, SMRs like the GE Hitachi BWRX-300 are also designed to reduce the power plant building surface by about 90 percent, resulting in a minimal impact on natural habitats compared to power plants based on fossil fuels.

Is nuclear power safe?

Nuclear energy has been a safe source of energy for more than 60 years. It is one of the most closely monitored and regulated technologies in the world. It actually has the lowest rate of fatalities and injuries per unit of supplied electricity compared to all other available technologies. Cyber security and physical standards are at the highest available level, nuclear facilities are also monitored 24 hours a day.

The reactors themselves are built to strident safety requirements, constantly monitored, and layered with many redundancy systems to maintain unparalleled safety parameters.

How is the nuclear industry regulated in Poland?

The Polish National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA) acts as Poland’s nuclear regulator. It is supervised by the Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment and is responsible for overseeing nuclear facilities and radwaste repositories, assessing the national radiation situation, and controlling occupational radiation exposure.

Read about PAA President Andrzej Głowacki’s recently released opinion of the BWRX-300—an important phase of the pre-licensing process.

Are there other uses for nuclear technology, aside from electricity generation?

Many uses for nuclear technology exist beyond power generation, including:

  • Using radiation to kill bacteria, insects, and parasites that can cause food-borne diseases.
  • Production of new crop varieties.
  • Industrial inspection, examining the molecular and macroscopic structure of materials.
  • Nuclear gauges that use a radioactive source to detect item characteristics (that is, thickness, density, or chemical makeup).
  • Desalination to produce clean drinking water.
  • Fuel for various modes of travel.
  • Numerous consumer products—from smoke detectors and cosmetics to frying pans and photocopiers.

There is also research into producing steam from nuclear reactors for industrial applications and district heating systems.

Regional experts

Meet the team

With our cross-business resources, we're able to serve a diverse global client base with a strong local presence in markets around the world.

Dave Sledzik

Executive Business Operations, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

Dagmara Peret

Country Executive, Vice President, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

Justyna Salachna

Licensing Manager - Regulatory Affairs, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

Dominik Oleksiak

Sourcing Manager, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

Jarosław Goździkowski

Senior Application Engineer, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

Magdalena Lula

Lead Engineer Quality, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

Contact us

Learn more about GEH Nuclear in Poland