Poland’s nuclear plan (PPEJ) advances, but unresolved questions risk delay, CATF says
CATF welcomes Poland’s 6–9 GW nuclear energy target and coal-region siting progress, but warns that delayed decisions on the second plant, unclear SMR policy, and fuel reprocessing risks could undermine delivery.
CATF’s analysis and key recommendations
1. The security risk: Reprocessing of spent fuel may lead to a “plutonium economy”
The Polish government held a press event announcing key aspects of the strategy Friday, with a full publication of the document expected on Monday. The strategy indicates that Poland is considering spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. CATF advises against this path due to two core factors:
- Proliferation risk: The industrial separation and transport of large quantities of plutonium drastically increases the risk of the material being diverted from civilian use for military purposes, directly threatening the security of Poland and Europe.
- A costly brake: Closed fuel cycle technologies are extremely expensive and time-consuming. Taking this step could paralyse and delay the implementation of Poland’s ongoing nuclear projects.
CATF recommends abandoning plans for reprocessing of spent fuel in the strategic nuclear programme document due to high risk of proliferation, generating security risk for the state.
2. Confusion around SMRs: Lack of alignment with the Energy Policy of Poland until 2040 (PEP2040) and the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP or KPEiK)
Although government strategies (PEP2040, KPEiK) foresee a significant role for SMRs, the updated PPEJ still treats them solely as an “alternative path” via a dedicated roadmap, without binding them into the core state programme.
- Lack of a unified vision: The absence of a coherent approach for both small and large reactors risks fragmenting administrative competences, failing to prioritise key industrial sectors, such as district heating and heavy industry, and delaying project deployments.
The PPEJ should urgently establish a clear, consistent regulatory and infrastructural pathway for SMRs (including power purchase agreements (PPA) contracts and two-way contracts for difference (CfDs) in line with EU Regulation 2024/1747), alongside a strategy to build a robust Polish supply chain hub.
3. The second nuclear power plant (NPP2) should move out of the “concept phase”
While targeting Bełchatów and Konin as preferred locations for NPP2 is a step in the right direction, pushing key decisions regarding the technology partner and business model to 2027 carries negative consequences.
- The risk of losing momentum: A prolonged conceptual phase will weaken political, public, and financial support. The lack of a comprehensive strategy prevents the market from assessing investment risks and hinders contractors from building supply chains.
- Unclear division of responsibilities: The division of responsibilities between PGE and PEJ on managing localisation, administrative procedure and business must be formalised as soon as possible to avoid overlapping competencies.
The PPEJ should explicitly indicate the leader of the second project with a clear framework of responsibilities which is crucial for effective execution of the project.
4. Economic stability and regional cooperation
The PPEJ accurately identifies the risk of reactor curtailment during peak periods of renewable energy generation (wind, solar), yet it offers no solutions to guarantee a sufficient return on investment.
Poland should actively participate in redesigning the EU energy market model that ensures revenue stability for nuclear investors. Furthermore, an urgent update of economic modeling is required to account for the impacts of inflation.
On regional integration, CATF urges Poland to work with the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region to streamline regulatory standards and optimise costs.
Press Contact
Julia Kislitsyna, Communications Manager, Europe, [email protected], +49 151 16220453
About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organisation working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalysing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With 30 years of internationally recognised expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. Visit catf.us and follow @cleanaircatf.
