The AP1000 reactor design for Poland is complete
Westinghouse has completed the design of the AP1000 reactor for Poland’s first nuclear power plant, confirmed Lou Martinez Sancho, the company’s Vice President for Technology Development. This means that the technical documentation, including all safety‑related systems, is now “frozen” and ready for implementation. The project is of key importance for Poland’s energy transition and the construction of a zero‑emission energy mix in the coming decades.
The power plant, which will be built at the Lubiatowo‑Kopalino site in Pomerania, will consist of three units equipped with AP1000 reactors with a total net capacity of over 3300 MW. The investor and operator of the project is Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ), a company fully owned by the State Treasury.
Proven and ready‑to‑deploy technology
Westinghouse emphasizes that the AP1000 is a proven and already deployed technology — reactors of this type are currently operating in China and the United States. It is therefore not a FOAK (first‑of‑a‑kind) design, which significantly reduces project and operational risks. The design for Poland has been fully digitalized, and the documentation prepared in electronic form, which is expected to accelerate implementation and improve project management.
“We do not anticipate any modifications to the core components or safety systems. This allows us to reduce risks related to documentation and permitting,” noted Lou Martinez Sancho.
Modular construction and digital design
The AP1000 has been designed with modularity in mind. The reactor consists of 52 main modules that will be prefabricated and assembled directly on the construction site. This approach is intended to shorten the investment timeline, increase quality control, and optimize the entire construction process.
The company also declares openness to further optimization of the assembly process — including the use of artificial intelligence and digital tools in research and design. Westinghouse assures that the experience gained from operating AP1000 reactors in other countries will be incorporated into the Polish project.
Poland ready for “first concrete”
According to the current schedule, construction is planned to begin in 2028. Commissioning of the first unit and the start of commercial operation are expected in 2036. This is an ambitious but realistic plan that fits into Poland’s long‑term strategy for decarbonizing its economy.
The AP1000 project also has the potential to become a reference point for subsequent nuclear investments in Poland. Westinghouse has declared its willingness to participate in the construction of the second nuclear power plant if selected in the planned competitive process. As Lou Martinez Sancho points out, experience from the first project may translate into better economics, economies of scale, and more efficient cooperation with permitting authorities.
Sustainable development and resource optimization
The Westinghouse Vice President also highlighted the growing importance of sustainability solutions. The company is conducting research into alternative cooling systems that could reduce water consumption in nuclear power plants. Although these systems are not directly planned for the Polish site, they may represent a future direction for technological development.
“We are analyzing, among other things, dry cooling, fan‑based systems, and new heat‑removal methods. This is part of our innovation policy and environmental responsibility,” Sancho emphasized.
Westinghouse’s legacy and potential
Westinghouse has a long history in nuclear energy — it was the company that launched the world’s first commercial reactor in 1957. The current AP1000 technology belongs to the so‑called Generation III+, offering the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and reliability.
In the context of Poland’s nuclear plans, this means that the country is not starting “from scratch.” The reactor design is ready, proven in practice, and fully prepared for deployment under European conditions. As Westinghouse stresses, Poland has a real opportunity to build a modern, safe, and zero‑emission nuclear power plant that will operate for decades.
Source: businessinsider.com.pl