Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ – Polish Nuclear Power Plants) and AGH University of Science & Technology in Krakow have signed a cooperation agreement to support development of the nuclear industry. PEJ is expanding the catalogue of universities with which it will cooperate during the implementation of the government's nuclear energy programme. The agreement with AGH includes cooperation in the education of human resources and work for the development of technologies applicable in the nuclear industry.
In November 2022, Westinghouse was selected by the Polish government to construct Poland’s first NPP in Pomerania using its AP1000. Westinghouse expects to sign an additional agreement in mid-2023 relating to plant design. Poland’s energy plan envisages six large pressurised water reactors with a combined installed capacity of 6-9GWe to be built by 2040 with construction of the first NPP to start in 2026 for commissioning of the first unit in 2033 and subsequent units commissioned every 2-3 years. In a separate development, Poland's ZE PAK, PGE (Polska Grupa Energetyczna) and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a letter of intent to cooperate on a NPP project in Patnow to assess the viability of building South Korean APR1400 reactors at the site of a former coal-powered plant.
“The construction of the first NPP in Poland is a long-term and very complex investment task, said PEJ President Tomasz Stępień. “AGH is our natural partner in this project because it is a university that with great success conducts research and education in the field of science, including in fields related to the energy industry.”
The purpose of the agreement between is primarily to educate the staff necessary for the development of nuclear power in Poland. The agreement covers cooperation in the development of nuclear technologies and other technologies applicable in the nuclear industry, as well as conducting activities supporting the development of nuclear energy in Poland.
“A thorough transformation awaits all Polish energy in the coming years,” said AGH Rector Professor Jerzy Lis. “One of its most important elements will be the training of personnel in the field of nuclear energy. Graduates of this field will in the coming years join the ranks of the most future-oriented and important sectors for Poland, also in terms of the country's energy security.” He added: “We have been conducting education in this area at AGH for many years. Now, however, we will intensify this with the significant support of experts from this industry.”
PEJ has agreed to prepare and conduct selected educational classes by the company's employees and to provide recommendations regarding the content of teaching. This will help AGH graduates acquire knowledge and skills desired in the labour market in the nuclear sector. The cooperation also provides paid internships for the best graduates of selected fields of study in nuclear energy.”
