EDA agrees to PEJ and Westinghouse-Bechtel’s Pomeranian nuclear project

Polish state-owned utility Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) has signed an engineering development agreement (EDA) with the US-based consortium of companies Westinghouse-Bechtel to continue the development of the first Polish nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in Pomerania.

The utility signed the initial 18-month engineering services contract (ESC) with the consortium for the project in September 2023. The contract expired at the end of March 2025.

The EDA facilitates the ongoing collaboration for nine months until early 2026.

The agreement outlines the terms for effective cooperation between PEJ and the Westinghouse-Bechtel Consortium (WBC), paving the way for the next phases of the project.

The EDA introduces changes to the remuneration model, enhances the investor’s oversight of contract execution and refines the acceptance procedures for completed works.

The agreement’s scope includes the continuation of preparatory, geotechnical and engineering works, which are critical for advancing the technical design of the nuclear power plant.

The agreement facilitates the securing of necessary permits and approvals, as well as the development of the supply chain.

Westinghouse Energy Systems president Dan Lipman stated: “With the signing of the engineering development agreement (EDA), we can continue our close co-operation with Polish Nuclear Power Plants (PEJ) to utilise the proven, advanced AP1000 reactor technology in this groundbreaking project.

“This project will not only provide Poland with a reliable, baseload source of affordable clean energy for many years to come, but will also generate billions of złotys in investment, positively impacting Poland’s gross domestic product and creating thousands of jobs during the investment and for many decades during the plant’s operational life.”

Westinghouse Electric and Bechtel collaborated to design and build the nuclear power facility in Poland in September 2023.

Bechtel has been active on the site since May 2024, conducting activities including geological drilling spanning 20km, involving Polish and other contractors.

Bechtel president and chief operations officer Craig Albert stated: “As the project enters its next phase – including advanced geological surveys and site engineering – Bechtel is deeply committed to working with PEJ, Westinghouse, local businesses and residents. This project is critical to strengthening Poland’s energy independence, driving sustainable economic growth, supporting local businesses and creating high-quality jobs. We are proud to play a role in this critically important undertaking for Poland’s future.”

PEJ still needs to finalise an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with the builder, and this requires approval from the European Commission for public aid of 60bn zlotys ($16bn) for the project, as reported by Reuters.

Poland aims to secure European Union (EU) approval by the end of 2025 to begin construction of the plant’s first unit in 2028, with completion expected in 2036.

The plant is projected to be fully operational by 2040.