{"id":7703,"date":"2026-05-20T08:29:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T08:29:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/7703\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T08:29:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T08:29:38","slug":"polands-nuclear-program-a-model-for-energy-independence-through-strategic-localization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/7703\/","title":{"rendered":"Poland\u2019s Nuclear Program: A Model for Energy Independence Through Strategic Localization"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\n Dena Volovar
\n President, Nuclear, Security & Environmental <\/p>\n

Co-authored with Dan Lipman, President of Westinghouse\u2019s Global Business Initiatives.<\/p>\n

Nuclear energy today offers enormous potential. Not only to deliver clean, reliable power but to strengthen national security, deepen industrial capability, and expand\u00a0long\u2011term\u00a0economic opportunity. Realizing that potential requires partnerships that are more than transactional. It takes collaboration between governments, across industries, and among allies willing to commit to each other for decades.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That type of partnership is exactly what the United States and Poland are building.\u00a0Last week, more than 25 Polish supplier CEOs\u00a0arrived\u00a0in Washington for the Poland Trade Mission, jointly organized by the Nuclear Energy Institute and Poland\u2019s Chamber of Power Industry and Environmental Protection. Led by Polish Deputy Minister Wojciech Wrochna and PEJ CEO Marek Woszczyk, the delegation met with the White House National Energy Dominance Council, senior U.S. government leaders, members of Congress, and our teams at Westinghouse and Bechtel.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"In May, more than 25 Polish supplier CEOs participated in the Poland Trade Mission taking place in Washington D.C., jointly organized by the Nuclear Energy Institute and Poland\u2019s Chamber of Power Industry and Environmental Protection.<\/p>\n

What is important to highlight is that these\u00a0were\u00a0not routine business meetings. These are the companies that will form the backbone of Poland\u2019s emerging nuclear industry,\u00a0meeting the policymakers and partners who will help them build it. The level of engagement reflects a deeper truth: Poland is not simply\u00a0purchasing\u00a0a power plant. It is\u00a0establishing\u00a0an entirely new industrial sector, anchored in U.S.\u00a0partnership\u00a0and designed for\u00a0long\u2011term\u00a0national resilience.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Localization as the Cornerstone of Energy Independence\u00a0<\/p>\n

From the outset, Westinghouse and Bechtel have shared a single\u00a0objective\u00a0with PEJ: to deliver three advanced AP1000\u00ae\u00a0modular\u00a0reactors while simultaneously building the skills, institutions, and supply chain that allow Poland to own its nuclear future. Localization is not a side\u00a0effort,\u00a0it is central to how this program strengthens Poland\u2019s energy independence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Through our Supplier Days series, we have engaged with more than 700 Polish companies, providing\u00a0hands\u2011on\u00a0training and guidance on the rigorous standards\u00a0required\u00a0for nuclear construction. Westinghouse is also partnering with major Polish firms to certify them under the ASME NQA\u20111 quality assurance standard,\u00a0enabling them not only to contribute to this project but to join the global AP1000 supply chain for future deployments across Europe and worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Workforce development is equally critical. Westinghouse and Bechtel directly employ more than\u00a0500\u00a0Polish\u00a0professionals, while partnerships with the Warsaw University of Technology,\u00a0Gda\u0144sk\u00a0University of Technology, the University of\u00a0Gda\u0144sk, and the National Centre for Nuclear Research are cultivating the next generation of Polish nuclear engineers,\u00a0researchers, and companies.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This is what energy independence looks like: a program built with Polish hands, powered by Polish\u00a0expertise, and sustained by a\u00a0long\u2011term\u00a0industrial ecosystem that\u00a0remains\u00a0in Poland long after construction is complete.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Applying Proven Experience to Accelerate Poland\u2019s Program\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Poland-U.S. partnership is grounded in proven delivery. At Plant Vogtle in Georgia, we completed the first new nuclear units built in the United States in more than three decades. The second AP1000 unit was constructed 30\u00a0percent\u00a0more efficiently than the first,\u00a0a demonstration of what disciplined execution, repeatable processes, and experienced teams can achieve.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That experience is already shaping work in Poland. Agreements this year with Arabelle Solutions for steam turbine\u00a0generators and with Polish firm DORACO for\u00a0civil preparation\u00a0work mark major milestones. Financing is advancing as well: PEJ and the U.S. Export-Import Bank signed the first direct loan agreement between EXIM and a Polish entity,\u00a0a clear sign of long-term U.S. support for Poland\u2019s energy goals.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Under our Engineering Development Agreement, progress continues across design, licensing, geological surveys, and early procurement \u2014 the quiet, essential work that\u00a0sets\u00a0the foundation for successful construction.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Building More Than a Power Plant\u00a0<\/p>\n

Much work\u00a0remains\u00a0and\u00a0the Poland-U.S. collaboration is proving something vital: that when governments, industries, and allied nations align, nuclear projects move from aspiration to construction to long-term energy security.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Trade Mission last week is an expression of that model \u2014 suppliers engaging early, learning what it takes to\u00a0participate, and preparing to join a generational national investment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What we are building in Poland is far more than the nation\u2019s first nuclear plant.\u00a0It is the foundation of a new industry.\u00a0It is a path to lasting economic and energy independence.\u00a0And it is a template for how\u00a0the global\u00a0nuclear renaissance will be built,\u00a0partner by partner, milestone by milestone, nation by nation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"
\n Dena Volovar
\n President, Nuclear, Security & Environmental <\/p>\n

Related Resources<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

May 18, 2026<\/p>\n

Poland\u2019s Nuclear Program: A Model for Energy Independence Through Strategic Localization<\/p>\n

By: Dena Volovar<\/p>\n

This week, a delegation of more than 25 Polish supplier CEOs will arrive in Washington for the Poland Reverse Trade Mission, organized by the Nuclear Energy Institute and Poland\u2019s Chamber of Power Industry and Environmental Protection. The delegation will meet\u2026<\/p>\n

Read more of: Poland\u2019s Nuclear Program: A Model for Energy Independence Through Strategic Localization<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

April 29, 2024<\/p>\n

Brendan Bechtel on Rebuilding America\u2019s Leadership in Nuclear Power<\/p>\n

By: Brendan Bechtel<\/p>\n

The U.S. is once again building and innovating in nuclear power. This week, the second of two new nuclear units went into service in Georgia. Meanwhile, developers in Wyoming just filed permit applications for America\u2019s next nuclear plant, Natrium.<\/p>\n

Read more of: Brendan Bechtel on Rebuilding America\u2019s Leadership in Nuclear Power<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Poland <\/p>\n

November 4, 2024<\/p>\n

Ahmet Tokpinar, General Manager of Bechtel\u2019s Nuclear Power Business, Discusses Progress on Poland\u2019s Nuclear Power Plant<\/p>\n

By: Ahmet Tokpinar<\/p>\n

Bechtel and Westinghouse are constructing Poland\u2019s first nuclear power plant. In early September, NS&E General Manager Ahmet Tokpinar, President and COO Craig Albert, and other company leaders traveled to Poland to visit the project site and meet with Polish officials…<\/p>\n

Read more of: Ahmet Tokpinar, General Manager of Bechtel\u2019s Nuclear Power Business, Discusses Progress on Poland\u2019s Nuclear Power Plant<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

May 15, 2026<\/p>\n

Westinghouse and Bechtel Welcome Polish Trade Mission to U.S.<\/p>\n

This week Westinghouse Electric Company and Bechtel welcomed a trade mission from Poland, bringing senior executives from Polskie Elektrownie J\u0105drowe (PEJ) and leading Polish suppliers to the United States to strengthen transatlantic cooperation for nuclear energy.<\/p>\n

Read more of: Westinghouse and Bechtel Welcome Polish Trade Mission to U.S.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

September 10, 2023<\/p>\n

Bechtel Opens New Office In Warsaw, Poland<\/p>\n

The Bechtel team responsible for delivering Poland\u2019s first nuclear power plant will utilize new office Bechtel, a leading engineering, procurement, construction, and project management company, today announced the opening of a new office in Warsaw, Poland, to support the delivery…<\/p>\n

Read more of: Bechtel Opens New Office In Warsaw, Poland<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

March 4, 2024<\/p>\n

Bechtel and Warsaw University of Technology Launch Nuclear Energy Career Development Program<\/p>\n

Bechtel announced today that it has signed an agreement with the Warsaw University of Technology to develop a new career development program to support training professionals interested in building and operating Poland\u2019s first nuclear power plant in the Pomeranian municipality…<\/p>\n

Read more of: Bechtel and Warsaw University of Technology Launch Nuclear Energy Career Development Program<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Poland <\/p>\n

Poland<\/p>\n

Poland AP1000\u00ae Nuclear Power Plant<\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n

Bechtel is building Poland\u2019s first nuclear power plant, using Westinghouse AP1000\u00ae reactors that will provide 3 GW of clean energy.<\/p>\n

Read more of: Poland AP1000\u00ae Nuclear Power Plant<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Natrium <\/p>\n

Wyoming, U.S.<\/p>\n

Natrium\u00ae Demonstration Project<\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n

Bechtel is building TerraPower\u2019s groundbreaking advanced nuclear reactor with energy storage for sustainable, carbon-free power.<\/p>\n

Read more of: Natrium\u00ae Demonstration Project<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Overhead <\/p>\n

Georgia, U.S.<\/p>\n

Vogtle Units 3 and 4<\/p>\n

2024<\/p>\n

Bechtel completed the first new nuclear reactors in the United States in over 30 years, supplying clean energy for 1 million homes and businesses.<\/p>\n

Read more of: Vogtle Units 3 and 4<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dena Volovar President, Nuclear, Security & Environmental Co-authored with Dan Lipman, President of Westinghouse\u2019s Global Business Initiatives. Nuclear…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7704,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[6544,9,6543],"class_list":["post-7703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-poland","tag-economic-development","tag-poland","tag-workforce-development"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7703","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7703"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7703\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7703"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}