Poland Submits Permit Application for Its First Nuclear Power Plant
Poland has taken a major step forward in establishing its first commercial nuclear power plant. On 31 March 2026, state-owned Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) submitted a formal construction permit application to the National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA) for a facility in Choczewo, in the northern Pomerania region. According to PEJ, the submission includes over 40,000 pages of technical and regulatory documentation, demonstrating the project’s scale and complexity.
“Submitting the application represents an important milestone in Poland’s nuclear program,” said PEJ President Marek Woszczyk. He emphasised that the filing reflects years of preparatory engineering, environmental assessment, and safety planning, and marks progress toward the planned construction schedule.
The application includes a Preliminary Safety Analysis Report detailing safety systems, radiation protection measures, emergency preparedness plans, and compliance with national and international standards. As reported by government officials, more than 200 specialists contributed to the report, completing it ahead of schedule.
Under Polish law, the PAA has up to 24 months to review the submission. The regulatory process includes a formal compliance check, followed by detailed safety and environmental assessments conducted with support from independent experts. Only after the PAA grants approval can PEJ apply for a conventional building permit from the regional authorities.
The Choczewo plant is planned to host three AP1000 reactors, a design provided by Westinghouse Electric Company and constructed in partnership with Bechtel. Each reactor is expected to generate approximately 1,250 megawatts, making the facility a central component of Poland’s strategy to diversify its energy supply and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
According to government statements, if the permit is approved, construction is expected to begin in 2028. The first reactor is projected to enter commercial operation in 2036, with the remaining two reactors coming online by 2038. Officials note that the project is not only about energy production but also aims to support domestic industrial development, create jobs, and strengthen Poland’s long-term energy security.
Public and political support has been consistently high. As stated by the Ministry of Energy, nuclear energy is widely regarded as a way to ensure stable electricity prices, enhance climate action, and provide a reliable foundation for the country’s industrial and technological growth.
By advancing to the regulatory review phase, Poland’s first nuclear plant has moved from planning toward tangible construction, reflecting a methodical, technically rigorous, and publicly supported approach to expanding the nation’s energy infrastructure.
