Orlen signed a contract for the SMR rectors project in Poland

A consortium of PKN Orlen and Synthos Green Energy signed an agreement with Canada’s Ontario Power Generation and the US Tennessee Valley Authority. Both companies are pioneers in the development of SMR technology in their respective markets. GE Hitachi is also a party to the agreement.

Orlen and Synthos with contract to develop SMR

“The agreement signed by Synthos Green Energy, with which PKN ORLEN is building a reactor park SMR, will make it possible to obtain a design that takes into account European and Polish standards, and, as a result, a faster start of construction work at the first SMR reactor in Poland. In addition, the project will be used for subsequent investments and will significantly improve the entire process and reduce the cost of building a fleet of BWRX-300 reactors. In Poland, the exclusive right to build reactors using this technology belongs to ORLEN Synthos Green Energy.” - we read in the PKN Orlen communiqué.

- Established cooperation proves that our plans to introduce small nuclear technology in Poland are realistic. This is an important step towards the construction of the entire fleet of reactors, which we intend to create together with our partner within ORLEN Synthos Green Energy. Thanks to this, stable energy will be supplied to Polish industry and Polish households this decade. Each subsequent SMR will strengthen the energy security of our country, and we are talking about a completely safe and low-emission energy source - says Daniel Obaitek, Chairman of the Board of PKN ORLEN.

– For the first time in history, a private Polish company invests in a nuclear power plant project. We do this because GE Hitachi’s modern modular technology is ideal for decarbonizing power and heat generation in Poland, as well as our other zero-emissions projects in the UK and across Central Europe. says Rafal Kasprov, Chairman of the Board of Synthos Green Energy.

Over $400 million investment in SMR

As part of the agreement, signed in the presence of Poland’s ambassador to the United States, Marek Magierowski, the companies announced investments totaling more than $400 million. The funds will be used to develop the technology for small modular reactors, which will eventually be installed in Poland.

A design of the universal part of the power plant (standard design) with the BWRX-300 reactor will be prepared, as well as working executive designs (working design), incl. for the reactor building and equipment inside, including the reactor. Work on the signing of the contract has been carried out since the spring of 2020.