Powering Poland: Bechtel And Westinghouse's Nuclear Drive
Poland's first nuclear power plant represents one of Europe's most significant energy infrastructure undertakings, bringing together American engineering leadership and Polish industrial capability.
The Bechtel-Westinghouse consortium is delivering the project for energy company Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) using Westinghouse AP1000 reactor technology, with construction centred on the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in the Choczewo commune.
This large-scale project combines proven reactor design, disciplined project execution and deliberate local supply-chain development designed to create lasting economic value alongside critical national infrastructure.
Progress at the project site
By the time this plant is running, Polish companies and Polish workers will be part of a nuclear industry that can compete for decades.
Work at Lubiatowo-Kopalino has advanced through several defined stages, reflecting a structured approach to early-phase nuclear construction.
- Site handover from energy company PEJ to Bechtel, marking the formal start of construction-phase activity
- The second stage of preparatory work, covering grading, levelling and drainage system upgrades
- Construction of temporary roads to support future site development
- In-depth geological surveys carried out across the site
- An application submitted to Poland's State Atomic Energy Agency for a construction permit, with a building permit application planned for the following year
This phased sequencing, typical of major nuclear builds, allows engineering, permitting and civil works to progress in parallel, reducing schedule risk further down the line.
Proven experience reduces risk
Bechtel's track record on AP1000 delivery underpins the consortium's approach in Poland.
The company points to its work at Plant Vogtle in Georgia, where it partnered with Westinghouse to complete the first new nuclear units built in the US in more than three decades.
The second unit was constructed 30% more efficiently than the first. Says Dena Volovar, President of Bechtel's Nuclear, Security & Environmental business
"This agreement reflects the momentum we've built with PEJ, and it's a vote of confidence in American nuclear technology and know-how. Bechtel has designed, built, or supported 150 nuclear power plants over 80 years, and we recently completed the most modern AP1000 units in the US,” says Dena Volovar, President of Bechtel's Nuclear, Security & Environmental business.
“Using modern execution tools to drive efficient delivery, we're bringing that experience to Poland, and we're building local capability as we go. By the time this plant is running, Polish companies and Polish workers will be part of a nuclear industry that can compete for decades."
"PEJ and the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium have agreed on the main terms of the contract for the construction of the first Polish nuclear power plant, which provides the basis for further, detailed negotiations regarding the remaining terms of cooperation under the EPC Contract,” adds Marek Woszczyk, President of PEJ. “The American Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium will be responsible for the construction of the facility."
Economic benefits for Poland
Beyond the engineering challenge, the programme is designed to build enduring domestic capability. Key figures illustrate the scale of that ambition.
Nearly 200 Polish nationals are currently on the project team, with a further 100 in recruitment while Polish companies have won more than PLN1bn (US$250m) in contracts to date. Also, three Polish universities have signed staff-development agreements.
The three AP1000 reactors planned will deliver a total capacity of 3,750MW, with the first electricity from the plant expected to flow to the Polish grid in 2036.
Bechtel's key partners:
Westinghouse Electric Company
Westinghouse Electric Company supplies the AP1000 reactor technology at the heart of the project and brings decades of pressurised water reactor design experience.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ)
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) is the Polish state-backed developer overseeing the plant's delivery and site handover.
Budimex
A major Polish construction firm contracted for site works as part of the growing domestic supply chain.
Doraco
A Polish infrastructure and civil engineering contractor, supports preparatory construction activity at the site.
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Executives
Dena Volovar
President
