Poland likely to connect first SMRs to grid by 2040, says energy minister
Poland should be able to connect the first small modular reactors (SMRs) to the grid before 2040, energy minister Milosz Motyka told a press briefing at the National Centre for Nuclear Research in Swierk. He added that decarbonisation of heating is a promising area of application for SMRs in Poland.
On Monday, Motyka visited the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) in Swierk, where he announced that the Maria research reactor had received an indefinite operating licence and would most likely be running at full capacity within a few hours. Its operations will be supervised by the National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA).
"We are one of six countries where such a reactor [research reactor - PAP ed.] is in operation (...) The modernisation of this reactor is scheduled to be completed in 2027. We estimate that this will allow us to extend its operation by at least 20 years," minister Motyka told the briefing, noting that this would not involve any interruptions in the reactor's operation.
He also announced that work on updating the Polish Nuclear Energy Programme (PPEJ) should be completed within a few months and that work is underway on a government roadmap for SMRs.
"Poland is already an important part of this supply chain, and thanks to further decisions by our government, we will be one of the leaders in the development of nuclear energy, including its possible future use in small modular reactors for the decarbonisation of heating," Motyka said.
Poland's energy minister added that no SMR has yet been connected to the grid, and Canada will probably be the first, while in Poland, small modular reactors should be connected to grid before 2040.
"In my opinion, we will strive for this, and we will certainly explore such technological possibilities," said Motyka.
At the end of July, in an interview with PAP Biznes, Milosz Motyka listed the plan for SMRs among his priorities. He confirmed that by the end of the summer, his ministry would like to prepare a roadmap for the development of SMRs in Poland and include this technology in the National Energy Policy (PEP 2040).
jz/ ao/ han/