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.
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
SMRs planned for construction
public sentiment in favor of nuclear power
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.
Modular and open-top construction enables a BWRX-300 to be built in 24–36 months with 50% less concrete.
Built on a 60+-year legacy of developing BWR nuclear reactors currently operating around the globe.
Offers up to 60% less capital cost per MW compared to large reactors and even other SMR designs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Many uses for nuclear technology exist beyond power generation, including:
There is also research into producing steam from nuclear reactors for industrial applications and district heating systems.
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.
Executive Business Operations, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Country Executive, Vice President, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Licensing Manager - Regulatory Affairs, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Sourcing Manager, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Senior Application Engineer, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Lead Engineer Quality, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Polski 
