Poland, US sign civil nuclear power cooperation agreement
Poland and the US on Monday concluded an intergovernmental cooperation agreement on the development of a civil nuclear power programme and the civil nuclear power sector in Poland, the US Embassy announced.
The documents were signed by Polish Secretary of State for Strategic Energy Infrastructure Piotr Naimski and U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette during a virtual ceremony held simultaneously in Warsaw and Washington on Monday.
According to US Ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher "this agreement marks several major milestones; not only does it strengthen Polish-American relations, but it's an announcement to the rest of the world that America is back in the nuclear business, thanks to cutting-edge U.S. technology."
Writing on Twitter, the ambassador added that "nuclear energy has never been safer, more affordable, or more flexible. We are ready to help our partners achieve energy security while cleaning up the environment by providing both technology and financing."
Krzysztof Szczerski, head of the Polish President's Office, said earlier that Poland and the US would, within 18 months, jointly prepare a report that would constitute the basis for the Polish government to decide on the final selection of a partner for the implementation of the Polish Nuclear Power Programme.
"During that time, leading American companies from the civil nuclear energy sector will carry out preparatory and design works for the construction of nuclear power plants in Poland. At the same time, representatives of both governments, together with American financial institutions, will prepare financing options for the Programme," Szczerski said.
The updated Polish Nuclear Power Programme provides for the construction of six nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 6-9 GW, with the first reactor to be operational in 2033.
