Westinghouse partners with nearly two dozen firms in Poland

Westinghouse Electric Company continues its aggressive campaign to become the large reactor supplier for Poland's planned nuclear power facilities, recently signing memoranda of understanding with 22 firms in the Central European nation.

The American company, with its AP1000 design, is one of three suppliers vying to provide the units for the first Polish nuclear plant project, the other contenders being Électricité de France and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.

The MOUs were signed last week in the presence of U.S. ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski.

What they're saying: "The signing between Westinghouse and Polish suppliers is another key step in the strategic U.S.-Poland partnership on nuclear energy," said Brzezinski. "Over the next several decades, this project will create thousands of jobs in Poland and help build experience that can be used to support similar projects around the world."

Mirosław Kowalik, president of Westinghouse Poland, added, "The involvement of the Polish industry in the creation of the nuclear industry in the country and its first power plant is absolutely crucial. Polish industry and companies have a wealth of experience and know-how in the construction of power units of all kinds. Many of them also have experience in working on nuclear projects around Europe, which we want to make the most of. These memoranda open opportunities for cooperation not only for the Polish project but also potentially in the entire [Central and Eastern European] region."

The partners: The memoranda establish cooperation between Westinghouse and the following companies:

• Kersten Sp. z o.o.-A company involved in bending steel and aluminum components.
• Famur Famak S.A.-A supplier of complete bulk material handling and storage systems and individual machines.
• Mostostal Puławy S.A.-A company specializing in manufacturing and installation of steel structures.
• Sefako S.A.-A boiler manufacturer.
• ZPUE S.A.-A manufacturer of advanced solutions for the electric power industry, primary and secondary power distribution, and generation equipment.
• Grupa Powen-Wafapomop S.A.-A manufacturer of pumps and a services provider.
• Emerson Automation Solutions-A provider of technologies and services to help businesses measure, analyze, control, automate, and optimize manufacturing, processing, and distribution.
• Monta Materials Handling Sp. z o.o.-A company specializing in assemblies of industrial equipment and installations.
• GL Steel Sp. z o.o.-A company specializing in the installation, maintenance, and service of static devices.
• Bureau Veritas Polska Sp. z o.o.-A provider of certification of systems, products, and persons and technical assessments and inspections in various industries.
• Prochem S.A.-A design company that implements industrial investments and public facilities, while also dealing extensively with environmental protection.
• ZRE Katowice S.A.-A comprehensive services company for energy and industry focusing on modernization, design, production, repair, service, assembly, and diagnostics.
• Energoprojekt Katowice S.A.-An engineering services company in the fields of design, consulting, technical analysis, construction supervision, and general contracting.
• APS Energia S.A.-A company specializing in testing, inspection, and certification.
• TÜV NORD Polska Sp. z o.o.-A provider of certification of systems, products, and persons as well as technical assessments and inspections in various industries.
• Izotechnik Sp. z o.o.-A manufacturer and installer of equipment, as well as its repair and modernization.
• Grafton Recruitment Sp. z o.o.-A recruitment company.
• Bireta Professional Translations Sp.J.-A provider of translation services.
• Ecol Sp. z o.o.-A provider of maintenance services for industrial machinery and equipment.
• Mostostal Kraków Sp. z o.o.-A services provider focused on the fabrication and assembly of steel structures and equipment installation.
• Eaton Electric Sp. z o.o.-A manufacturer of devices and equipment that support electricity management.
• Energomontaż-Północ-Bełchatów S.A.-A company involved in the implementation of energy and industrial construction facilities .

Background: In February 2021, Poland's Ministry of Climate and Environment announced the official adoption of the Energy Policy of Poland until 2040 (PEP2040), originally published in draft form in November 2018 and revised the following year.

In its announcement, the ministry described PEP2040 as "a clear vision of Poland's energy transformation strategy" and "a compass for entrepreneurs, local governments, and citizens in the transformation of the Polish economy toward low emission." By 2040, the document states, more than half of Poland's installed capacity will be zero-emission sources, adding that offshore wind energy and nuclear energy "will play a special role" in reaching that goal.

PEP2040 contains eight specific objectives, one of which is the implementation of nuclear power. According to the document, Poland will launch its first nuclear power reactor in 2033, with a capacity of 1.0 to 1.6 GW. Additional units are to be "implemented" every two to three years after that. The nuclear program envisions the construction of six units by 2043.