Westinghouse Electric and Bechtel have forged a partnership to design and build a nuclear power facility in Poland.

The duo entered a consortium agreement that will result in the development of the country’s first nuclear plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in Pomerania.

In the coming week, the consortium and Polish utility Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ), a special purpose vehicle 100% owned by the State Treasury, plan to enter an engineering services agreement.

Poland chose Westinghouse’s AP1000 pressurised water reactor technology for the project.

The nuclear project is expected to begin operations in 2033 and help advance the country’s goal of achieving carbon-free energy.

Westinghouse Energy Systems president David Durham said: “This is a team with demonstrated ability to deliver on large nuclear energy projects.

“The fleet experience we have earned with our advanced, proven AP1000 technology, including a 100% complete design and construction lessons learned, will serve Poland well as it seeks decarbonisation and increased energy security.”

Bechtel Nuclear Security and Environmental global business unit president John Howanitz said: “Bechtel and Westinghouse bring more than 140 years of combined nuclear power experience. Together, we have both the proven technology and the hands-on experience required to build Poland’s first-ever nuclear energy programme.

“We are eager to partner with the local workforce, suppliers and community to deliver the clean and reliable energy Poland needs.”

In September 2022, Westinghouse announced a memorandum of understanding with 22 companies in Poland to cooperate on the construction of AP1000 reactors in the country and at other locations in central Europe.

The company also agreed to set up a major engineering centre and invest in the training and development of the workforce.

This was followed by an agreement between Westinghouse and PEJ to define the main principles and path forward for the project.