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Orlen SAOrlen energy may build first SMR in Wloclawek
Poland's largest energy concern Orlen may build the first small modular reactor in Wloclawek if an agreement is reached with its partner in Orlen Synthos Green Energy, the company's CEO Ireneusz Fafara told a press conference.
"If we reach an agreement, we have decided that the first location of the SMR will be in Wloclawek," Fafara said.
The CEO reiterated that Orlen is discussing a new model for the operation of Orlen Synthos Green Energy. In his view, the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) is important for Poland's energy security.
"Our ambition is to reach an agreement on OSGE by the end of September," he said.
Orlen Synthos Green Energy is a company in which Orlen and private chemical concern Synthos, owned by Michal Solowow, each have a half share.
OSGE plans to build a fleet of GE-Hitachi BWRX-300 reactors in Poland. In December 2023, the Ministry of Climate and Environment issued decisions in principle for the implementation of the investment in six locations: in addition to Stawy Monowskie, these are Wloclawek, Ostroleka, Dabrowa Gornicza, Krakow - Nowa Huta and Stalowa Wola - Tarnobrzeg.
BWRX-300 belongs to the boiling water reactor (BWR) family. At the same time, due to its relatively small power of 300 MWe, it is classified as a so-called SMR - small modular reactor. The first such reactor is to be built for OPG at the Darlington nuclear power plant in Canada. Another, according to OSGE plans - is to be built in Poland by the end of the decade.
pr/ ao/ nl/
