Poland is a democratic country based on legislative, executive and judicial authorities.

The legislative authority is held by a two-bodied Parliament. The upper chamber (Senat) with 100 senators and the lower chamber (Sejm) with 460 deputies are elected for a four-year term in a general election.

The President, elected for a five-year term in a general election, and the Government hold executive authority. The Head of the Government and on his/her recommendation, the Ministers, are nominated by the President. Thus constituted, the Council of Ministers is responsible for domestic and foreign affairs, and its activities are supervised by the Head of the Council of Ministers, i.e. the Prime Minister.

State administration and the government in a province (voivodship) are represented by a voivoda. On the basis of the act of 24 July 1998, which came into effect on 1 January 1999, a three-level territorial division of the country was introduced. The units of this division are: communes, counties and voivodships. Since January 1999, the country has been divided into 16 voivodships.

The capital city of Poland is Warsaw (area of 494 km²) with 1,702,000 inhabitants.

The official language is Polish

The monetary unit is 1 zloty (PLN) = 100 groszy.

Poland is located in Central Europe on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Poland borders with the Czech Republic (796 km), Slovakia (541 km), Ukraine (535 km), Germany (467 km), Belarus (418 km), Russia (210 km) and Lithuania (104 km). The length of the sea border is 440 km (the length of the coast line is 770 km). The total length of the borders is 3511 km.

Poland has an area of 322, 575 km², comprising a land area (together with inland waters) of 311, 888 km², a sea inland water area of 2,005 km², and 8,682 km² of territorial waters. According to calculations of the total area of all administrative units, the total administrative area of Poland is 312, 679 km² (311,888 km² of land area and 791 km² of sea inland waters).

In Poland, lowlands (elevations below 200 m) take up 75% of the surface area. The average elevation is thus only 173 m. Lowlands appear in the north and in the centre of the country, whereas mountains and highland areas are prevalent in the south. The highest elevation is Rysy at 2,499 m.

Poland lies in the transitory climate zone. The western part of the country has a temperate oceanic climate, whereas in the eastern part a continental temperate climate prevails. Different masses of air collide over the territory of Poland which is the result of its central location in Europe and the latitudinal layout of topographic zones.

The average annual air temperature in Poland ranges between 7°C and 10°C (excluding mountainous areas). Significant differences occur between summer and winter periods. The average summer temperature oscillates between 16.5°C and 20°C, and the winter temperature ranges between – 6°C and 0°C.

Poland is suffering from a decline in population following the change of political system. This situation is due to a number of phenomena among which the decrease in birth rate is significant. The Central Statistical Office predicts further decline in the next 25 years. It is expected that in the year 2035, the population of Poland will be about 36 million. It will create some problems for the national economy due to the increasing number of elderly people.

TABLE 1. POPULATION INFORMATION

								Average annual growth rate (%)
Year	1970	1980	1990	2000	2005	2010	2013	2000 to 2013
Population (millions)	32.5	35.6	38.1	38.5	38.2	38.2	38.5	0.0
Population density (inhabitants/km2)	106.8	116.8	125.2	126.3	124.6	126.0	125.8	-0.03
Urban Population as % of total	52.1	58.1	61.3	61.7	61.5	61.2	60.6	-0.14
Area (1000 km2)	312.7

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

During 1990-91 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased by about 7% per year, mainly due to a dramatic fall in industrial output caused by plummeting demand. It was a consequence of the administrative control of wage increase, high exchange rates, lowering of subsidies and increase in interest rates. There were also some restrictions in investments and employment. A significant improvement in national economy took place in the years 1994-1997. The average GDP equated to 6.4%, a figure which represented the effect of good results achieved in industry, the construction sector and also in trade. The inflow of foreign capital significantly influenced an increase in employment and investments. Consumer demand was stimulated by the increase in buying power and consumption, as well as by loans.

In the years following 1997 economic slowdown was observed. Economic crisis in Russia caused an abrupt break in export to the east, which in the years 1998-1999 led to the greatest negative foreign exchange rate. Better results in agriculture and a one-digit figure for inflation were the positive phenomena of this period. The reverse in negative tendencies took place in 2003, and in 2004 GDP increased by 5.3%. The boom had a wide range of influences and its sources were ascribed to Poland’s accession to the European Union, resulting in export acceleration.

The period of pronounced economic growth comprising all the main sectors (i.e. services, industry, and construction) which started in 2004 lasted until the middle of 2008. In the following years, growth slowed, partly owing to the financial crisis. In 2010 the GDP increase was equal to 4%.

TABLE 2. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)

							Average annual growth rate (%)
	1980	1990	2000	2005	2010	2013	2000 to 2013
GDP (millions of current US$)		58,975.9	171,276.1	303,912.3	469,736.8	517,542.8	8.88
GDP (millions of constant 2005 US$)		180,139.9	261,094.7	303,912.3	382,576.4	414,314.0	3.62
GDP per capita (PPP* US$/capita)		5,460.7	10,513.9	13,784.2	20,036.0	23,274.8	6.30
GDP per capita (current US$/capita)		1,547.2	4,454.1	7,963.0	12,302.0	13,432.0	8.86

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

TABLE 3. ESTIMATED AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES

	Estimated available energy sources
	Fossil Fuels			Nuclear	Renewables
	Solid	Liquid	Gas	Uranium	Hydro	Other Renewable
Total amount in specific units*	400 750	25.9	110	7270	n/a	n/a
Total amount in Exajoule (EJ)	7607	1.14	3.74	3.64	n/a	n/a

* Solid, Liquid: Million tons; Gas: Billion m³; Uranium: Metric tons; Hydro, Renewable: TW

Source:Energy Policies of IEA Countires – Poland 2011 Review, IEA; Red Book 2011 OECD - NEA

TABLE 4. ENERGY STATISTICS

Million Terajoule (TJ)								Average annual growth rate (%)
Years	1970	1980	1990	2000	2005	2010	2013	2000 to 2013
Energy consumption**
- Total	3.53	5.21	4.38	3.66	3.93	4.12	4.02	0.67
- Solids***	2.90	4.02	3.29	2.28	2.32	2.19	2.15	-2.99
- Liquids	0.37	0.77	0.61	0.83	0.94	1.09	0.92	2.98
- Gases	0.22	0.37	0.38	0.42	0.52	0.53	0.59	3.19
- Nuclear
- Hydro	0.01	0.02	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.00
- Other Renewables	0.03	0.03	0.04	0.15	0.18	0.30	0.35	6.24
Energy production
- Total	4.00	5.10	4.34	3.29	3.26	2.79	2.95	-2.72
- Solids***	3.76	4.85	4.14	2.96	2.86	2.31	2.38	-3.88
- Liquids	0.02	0.01	0.01	0.03	0.04	0.03	0.04	10.41
- Gases	0.18	0.19	0.10	0.14	0.16	0.15	0.16	3.41
- Nuclear
- Hydro	0.01	0.02	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.00
- Other Renewables	0.03	0.03	0.04	0.15	0.19	0.28	0.35	6.24
Net import (Import – Export)					0.00	0.02	0.00	0.00
- Total	-0.46	0.11	0.03	0.37	0.67	1.32	1.06

** Energy consumption = Primary energy consumption + Net import (Import - Export) of secondary energy.

*** Solid fuels include coal, lignite

Sources: Eurostat online (retrieved 2015-02-24); Central Statistical Office of Poland

The main objective of the energy policy document adopted by the government in November 2009 is to enhance the country's energy security by observing the principle of sustainable development. The key directions of Polish energy policy are:

• To improve energy efficiency;

• To enhance security of fuel and energy supplies;

• To diversify the electricity generation structure by introducing nuclear energy;

• To develop the use of renewable energy sources, including biofuels;

• To develop competitive fuel and energy markets;

• To reduce the environmental impact of the power industry.

Polish energy policy is driven by EU directives and requirements to a very large extent. In particular, Poland has to liberalize its electricity market in line with the EU directives. The Polish electricity market has been gradually opened to competition since 1998 and was fully opened on 1 July 2007, in accordance with EU directives. All customers are now eligible to choose their supplier. Poland has adopted all EU regulations regarding market liberalization and security of supply relatively quickly, compared to some other countries that started market transformation earlier.

Poland therefore places focus on maximizing the use of existing domestic energy resources. Also, as part of the EU "20-20-20" goals, the following targets have been set for Poland for 2020:

• Limit greenhouse gas emissions in the sectors not covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) to 14% above the 2005 level (binding target);

• Reduce energy consumption by 20% of the projected 2020 levels (non-binding);

• Increase the share of renewable energy to 15% of gross final energy consumption, including an increase of the renewables in transport to 10% (binding target).

After adoption of new climate policy goals by the EU in October 2014, Poland is going to fulfil its obligation to reduce CO₂ emissions in ETS sectors (which include the power sector) by 43% in relation to 2005. This will require significant change in the Polish energy mix by 2030 and nuclear power will play a vital role in the new mix.

The government aims to enhance security of electricity supply through the following measures:

• Continuing to use coal as a domestic fuel for power generation to the extent possible in terms of new EU climate policy goals;

• Building new generating capacity (including nuclear units and new highly efficient co-generation plants);

• Developing and modernizing the national transmission system;

• Developing cross-border connections to exchange the equivalent of 25% of the electricity used in Poland by 2030;

• Modernization and extension of the distribution grids.

The development of renewable energy sources and an increase in energy efficiency will also be beneficial for the security of electricity supply.

Today, the Polish electricity sector is characterized by ageing infrastructure. More than 60% of generating capacity is over 30 years old, emphasizing the requirement for substantial new investment in the short and medium term to satisfy electricity and heat demand. Electricity networks see similar investment challenges: nearly 80% of 400 kV lines and 99% of 220 kV lines are over 20 years old.

The Polish electric energy sector is divided into four subsectors – generation, distribution, transmission, and sales.

There are 17 large power plants (or groups of power plants) and 19 combined heat and power stations (CHPs). The total capacity installed in the electric energy generation sector is over 38,000 MW. Most power units date back to the 1970s, although there are also some much older plants which have to be closed by 2020 due to environmental regulations.

There is only one national Transmission System Operator (PSE S.A., www.pse.pl). This company is fully independent of other electricity activities.

Distribution System Operators function as independent companies within four strong groups vertically-structured (PGE, TAURON, ENEA, ENERGA) and one smaller DSO (RWE).

Electricity sales are carried out by approximately 100 companies. Since 2013 all electricity generated by Polish power stations has been traded on the Polish Power Exchange (www.polpx.pl).

TABLE 5. ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION, CONSUMPTION AND CAPACITY

								Average annual growth rate (%)
	1970	1980	1990	2000	2005	2010	2013	2000 to 2013
Capacity of electrical plants (GWe)
- Thermal	11.38	20.66	25.99	28.38	29.82	31. 93	33.99	1.40
- Hydro	0.74	1.30	1.98	2.12	2.18	2.19	2.31	0.66
- Nuclear
- Wind				0.004	0.12	1.12	3.41	56.61
- Geothermal
- other renewable
- Total	12.12	21.96	27.97	30.56	32.26	35.54	38.65	1.82
Electricity production (TWh)
- Thermal	62.64	118.59	133.00	141.05	153.02	147.69	154.77	0.72
- Hydro	1.89	3.28	3.31	4.12	3.78	3.16	2.44	-3.95
- Nuclear
- Wind			0.005	0.03	0.14	1.66	6.00	50.31
- Geothermal
- other renewable							4.28
- Total (1)	64.53	121.87	136.31	145.18	156.94	157.66	164.56	0.97
Total Electricity consumption (TWh)	59.02	109.44	124.71	124.58	131.19	144.45	160.04	1.95

(1) Electricity transmission losses are not deducted.

Source: Statistics of Polish Power Sector 2013. Report by the Polish Energy Market Agency (ARE S.A.), Warsaw, September 2014

TABLE 6. ENERGY RELATED RATIOS

	1970	1980	1990	2000	2005	2010	2013
Energy consumption per capita (GJ/capita)	108.09	145.80	111.10	97.24	102.21	102.97*
Electricity consumption per capita (kWh/capita)	1 807	3 063	3 276	3 257	3 438	4 092	4 157
Electricity production/Energy production (%)	5.8	8.6	11.96	15.89	17.49	19.93*
Nuclear/Total electricity (%)	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Ratio of external dependency (%) (1)	-13.03	2.11	3.31	9.4	17.69	32.06*

(1) Net import / Total energy consumption.

* Data for 2009

Source: Polish Energy Market Agency report 2011

The first plans to launch nuclear power in Poland were made in 1956. Nuclear energy was perceived as a tool enabling reductions in internal coal consumption (on which the whole Polish energy sector was based) thanks to which it would have been possible to save precious natural resources or to export them. Such a justification was found in the reports of scientific councils commissioned by the government.

A full nuclear fuel cycle was considered for Poland.

In the 1960s there were plans to construct the first merchant ships with nuclear propulsion in the Gdansk Shipyard. For this purpose designs of nuclear units with PWR and SCHWR reactors were drafted. Due to the low price of oil on the global markets, these works were stopped in the late 1960s.

Between 1945 and 1977 uranium was mined in several places in Poland, especially in the Sudety mountains. The uranium ore with 0.2% of uranium content was sold to the Soviet Union. The mining was carried out by a company called Zaklady R-1 (the “R-1 Facility”). The uranium mining and sales were top secret. Over 800 t of raw material (calculated in respect to pure uranium) was obtained. In 1965, all the resources of uranium ore of 0.2% U content were mined out and at the same time the Soviet Union refused to buy the ore with lower U content. Thus the management of Zaklady R-1 made a decision to build a yellowcake production plant which would deliver uranium concentrate for export purposes out of the ore with U content lower than 0.2%. The plant started its production in 1967 and continued to operate until the end of 1972 when the Government Commissioner for Nuclear Energy decided to close down Zaklady R-1 due to uranium mining becoming non-profitable because of high mining costs, low price of uranium ore on the global markets and diminishing resources of uranium rich ore.

Until 1971, the government had not made any binding decisions on the construction of nuclear power plants (NPP). In 1971 it decided to build the first nuclear plant and a year later it designated Zarnowiec near Gdynia (by the Baltic Sea) as its site.

NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN POLAND IN THE EIGHTIES

REACTOR	TYPE	NET capacity	Construction start (first concrete)	Construction cancelation
Zarnowiec-1	VVER-440/213	427	03/1984	09/1990
Zarnowiec-2	VVER-440/213	427	03/1984	09/1990
Zarnowiec-3	VVER-440/213	427	preliminary works and reactor manufacturing were started	09/1990
Zarnowiec-4	VVER-440/213	427	preliminary works and reactor manufacturing were started	09/1990
Warta-1 (Klempicz)	VVER-1000/320	950	1988 (preliminary works)	04/1989
Warta-2 (Klempicz)	VVER-1000/320	950	1988 (preliminary works)	04/1989
Warta-3 (Klempicz)	VVER-1000/320	950	not started
Warta-4 (Klempicz)	VVER-1000/320	950	not started
Total net power (8 units)	5508 MWe

According to plans made in 1973, a total 10 (7860MW_e) or 12 (9860MW_e) nuclear units in several locations were to have been commissioned by the end of 2000.

The construction of Zarnowiec NPP was delayed until 1982. It was to consist of 4 units with Soviet VVER-440/213 reactors which were to be upgraded in compliance with the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the requirements of the Polish nuclear regulator. Power units of Zarnowiec NPP were to be equipped with turbines of Polish production (manufactured on ABB licence) in a single-unit system (one turbine per one reactor) with higher efficiency and power than typical Soviet turbines in a double-unit system (two turbines per one reactor). The gross electrical power was 465 MW_e instead of 440 MW_e. Moreover, the whole turbine island was designed in Poland and it was to be supplied with equipment provided by Polish manufacturers. Localization rate was 70%. Units 3 and 4 were to be CHP units and supply heat for the needs of the central heating system of the Tricity (Gdansk-Sopot-Gdynia). The power plant was to be cooled by water from Zarnowieckie Lake (open cooling system). Economic difficulties (characteristic of a centrally controlled economy) made the progress of construction slow, but the quality was high due to the implementation of the first Polish quality assurance system.

The high quality of civil works was confirmed by the pre-OSART mission carried out between 2 and 15 September 1989. Next, from 26 to 30 March 1990 a successive IAEA mission – Site Safety Review Mission - confirmed the suitability of Zarnowiec site selection. On 26-27 April 1990 and on 29 April - 4 May 1990, IAEA held a mission to evaluate the containment structure and confirmed the good quality of its design and realization. On 4 September 1990, the government ordered the construction to stop. At that time the completion rate was 40% (and its infrastructure was at 90%). The equipment that had been ordered was subsequently sold or scrapped. It is estimated that the decision to cease the construction caused direct losses of at least USD 2 billion (at 2014 prices).

A second power plant was also planned. In 1987 the government assigned its location in Klempicz to the north of Poznan. The construction (preparatory works, ground excavation and infrastructure build-up) was started in 1988 and stopped in 1989. That power plant was to have a closed cooling system with cooling towers and it was to be based on 4 VVER –1000/320 units of Soviet design, similar to Temelin NPP in Czech Republic.

FIG 1. Current organizational chart.

In the model of Polish nuclear power, the four following main subjects can be distinguished:

1. The Nuclear Energy Department of the Ministry of Economy (NED ME). Its primary duty is to support the appropriate minister for economy in outlining and coordinating the strategy of nuclear power development implementation. Outlines of nuclear energy development will be prepared by NED. NED ME acts as NEPIO (Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization)

2. Investors in nuclear power facilities, and after their start-up the operators (utilities) with the experience, knowledge, and funds necessary for construction and maintenance of such facilities. Currently only the PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna S.A. is seen as a main utility with firm plans for NPP construction (with other power utilities, such as Tauron S.A., Enea S.A., and KGHM S.A., and a mining company, as minority owners)

3. Nuclear control is performed by the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency

4. Radioactive Waste Management Plant (RWMP) which will deal with radioactive waste. A substantial part of the costs of radioactive waste management including spent fuel from NPPs, will be covered by the operator (investor) of the facility

TABLE 7. STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Reactor Unit	Type	Net Capacity [MW(e)]	Status	Operator	Reactor Supplier	Construction Date	First Criticality Date	First Grid Date	Commercial Date	Shutdown Date	UCF for 2014
ZARNOWIEC-1	PWR	427	Cancelled Constr.	EJZ	SKODA	1984-03-01				1990-09-04
ZARNOWIEC-2	PWR	427	Cancelled Constr.	EJZ	MEGADEX	1984-03-01				1990-09-04

Data source: IAEA - Power Reactor Information System (PRIS).

Note: Table 7 is completely generated from PRIS data to reflect the latest available information and may be more up to date than the text of the report.

No NPP in Poland is currently in operation, under construction, suspended, or decommissioned. Two nuclear power units at Zarnowiec, construction of which started in 1984, were cancelled in 1990 when 40% complete.

Not applicable.

The Polish Energy Policy until 2030, adopted by the Council of Ministers on 10 November 2009, envisages nuclear power development in the medium term i.e. into the 2020s.

The Ministry of Economy is currently working on a new document – Polish Energy Policy until 2050 - which takes into account the new framework of EU climate policy and its deep CO2 emissions reductions goal. The draft document recognizes nuclear power as a main tool for implementation of EU climate policy. On 29 January 2014 the Council of Ministers adopted the Polish Nuclear Power Programme. The Programme states that the construction of the first nuclear unit will start in 2019 and it will be commissioned by the end of 2024 at the latest. It is planned that by 2035 two plants will have started operation, each with total capacity of about 3,000 MW_e (net), i.e. 4-6 power generating units.

PGE S.A. (Polish Energy Group, a joint-stock company) will be the first operator of both NPPs. The first 2-3 units will probably be built under a turnkey contract.

Nuclear Power Programme schedule in short:

Stage I (January 2014 – December 2016) – final site selection, technology and selection of vendors, establishing business partnership with experienced nuclear utility (or utilities)

Stage II (January 2017 – December 2018) –obtaining all necessary approvals and licences, technical design, preliminary site works (ground excavation, etc.)

Stage III (January 2019 – December 2024) – starting construction of first NPP, commissioning of first reactor, starting construction of second unit.

Stage IV (January 2025 – December 2035) – construction of next reactors, designed to achieve 6,000 MW_e of nuclear capacity on the power grid by December 2035. The English translation of the document can be downloaded here:

http://www.mg.gov.pl/files/upload/10960/PPEJ%20eng.2014.docx

After performing some technical and economic analyses, the investor will be able to make a decision about the possible use of the plant for heating purposes (CHP).

TABLE 8. PLANNED NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Station/Project Name	Type	Net Capacity	Expected Construction Start Year	Expected Commercial Year
NPP-1, unit 1	PWR or BWR	1000-1650	2019	2024
NPP-1, unit 2	PWR or BWR	1000-1650	2022	2027
(NPP-1, unit 3)	PWR or BWR	1000-1650	(2024)	(2029)
NPP-2, unit 1	PWR or BWR	1000-1650	2025	2030
NPP-2, unit 2	PWR or BWR	1000-1650	2027	2032
(NPP-2, unit 3)	PWR or BWR	1000-1650	(2030)	(2034)

(Brackets signify possible units, depending on the specific reactor technology. The goal is not the number of reactors but the installed capacity)

Refer to section 2.1.2.

The Nuclear Energy Department of the Ministry of Economy, subordinate to the Government Commissioner for Nuclear Power, plays the role of NEPIO.

Nuclear regulator:

The President of the National Atomic Energy Agency (NAEA), operating with the assistance of the Agency, is the institution responsible for nuclear regulation in Poland.

Activities of the President of the NAEA as a central body of government administration for nuclear safety and radiological protection are regulated by the act of 29 November 2000, on Atomic Law (Dz. U. [Journal of Laws] 2007 No 42 item 276 with subsequent amendments). In June 2011, the Parliament endorsed an amendment to the Atomic Law which came into effect on 1 July 2011. Its aim was to adjust the Atomic Law to the regulations of the nuclear regulator and to transpose the 2009/71 Euroatom Directives of 25 June 2009, determining a common nuclear safety framework for nuclear facilities, into the Polish law. New implementation regulations to the Atomic Law have also been published. They contain the requirements from the point of view of nuclear safety and radiological protection, in particular referring to the criteria of site location and its analyses, a design, safety analyses and a safety report, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of a nuclear power facility.

Since 1 January 2002, the President of the NAEA has been subordinate to the Minister of the Environment.

The significant elements of the nuclear safety and radiological protection system implemented by the President of the NAEA are the following:

• Regulating the activities where nuclear materials and ionizing radiation sources are used, realized through granting permissions for such activities or their registration;

• Regulation of the methods employed in these activities and regulation of occupational radiation doses;

• Supervision of training of nuclear regulatory inspectors and inspectors of radiological protection (experts in nuclear safety and radiological protection functioning in units operating on the basis of granted licences) and employees working with ionizing radiation. Control over radioactive material turnover;

• Keeping a record of radioactive sources and their users. Keeping a central record of individual doses, and in the case of activities employing nuclear materials – also administrating a detailed register and accounts regarding them, endorsing plans of physical protection and control of applied technologies;

• Monitoring radiation in the country through coordination (together with standardization) of operation of local facilities measuring radiation doses, radionuclide content in chosen elements of natural environment and also in drinking water, food products and fodder;

• Maintenance of services ready to recognize radiation conditions and to react in the case of radiation occurrences (in cooperation with other bodies and services operating within the National Emergency Response System);

• Performing activities with the aim of fulfilling Poland’s duties resulting from treaties, conventions, and international agreements within nuclear safety and radiological protection.

In reference to nuclear power facilities (including power plants), radioactive waste repositories as well as radioactive waste and spent fuel bunkers, the President of the NAEA grants permissions within nuclear safety and radiological protection for their:

• Construction;

• Commissioning;

• Operation;

• Decommissioning.

In 2014 the number of employees in the NAEA reached 130.

Apart from the nuclear regulator there is an Office of Technical Inspection, which regulates conventional parts of Nuclear Power Facilities such as turbines, generators, cranes, non-nuclear pipes, cables etc. However, it is only a support institution for NAEA, since the NAEA is the main and only nuclear regulator.

RWMP – Radioactive Waste Management Plant

RWMP will continue to operate radioactive waste repositories and will also build a spent fuel repository in the future. Financial responsibility for waste handling will be the responsibility of the nuclear power facility operator, who will be obliged to accumulate financial means for this purpose and financing activities in this field.

Investors / operators of nuclear power facilities

The investors (operators) of nuclear power facilities will be responsible for a number of duties, and in particular for the following:

• Accumulating funds for preparation of storage and the storage of radioactive waste and spent fuel;

• Accumulating funds for decommissioning of nuclear power facilities;

• Decommissioning of facilities after their operation cycle has finished;

• Fulfilling legal requirements of legal liability for nuclear damage;

• Preparing plans for emergencies.

After the NPP has completed its operation, the operator will be obliged to decommission the facility according to NAEA requirements resulting from the accepted schedule of decommissioning.

Within the whole period of construction preparation, construction, operation and decommissioning of the plant, the investor/operator will be obliged to carry out information and educational activities directed at the local communities and neighbouring communities to the nuclear facilities. In particular, the Investor/Operator is obliged to set up an information centre (about each nuclear power facility) which would perform the role of information and education centre for nuclear power.

Other national institutions

According to IAEA recommendations, responsibilities of the national administration in the field of managing the nuclear power development scheme should be delegated to a specially appointed organizational unit NEPIO. At the present stage of preparations for implementation of nuclear power in Poland, this role is played by the Nuclear Energy Department in the Ministry of Economy.

Duties within the field of nuclear power development will be carried out by the following institutions:

• Ministry of Economy;

• National Atomic Energy Agency;

• the President of the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO);

• Office of Technical Inspection (OTI) and other Polish inspection institutions;

• Institutions connected with environmental protection and industrial development;

• Institutions responsible for safety, physical protection and emergency planning;

• Voivoda from the province where the investment is planned to be located.

Additionally, the realization of the Programme will require the participation of many other ministries and offices (Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Ministry of National Education, Ministry of the Interior and Administration, Ministry of Health, Ministry of the Treasury, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Ministry of Regional Development, and The Internal Security Agency)

Duties of the two most important institutions for the implementation of the Programme, i.e. NAEA and ME are described previously in this paper. The duties of the other subjects are as follows:

Ministries and national administration offices are engaged directly or indirectly in the realization of the PNP Programme.

The President of the Energy Regulatory Office

As in the case for other electrical energy and heat producers, NPP operators will be obliged to obtain a Licence for electrical energy production (and perhaps also heat) issued by the President of ERO.

The Office of Technical Inspections (OTI) and other inspection institutions in Poland

These will carry out all technical inspection activities not connected with nuclear safety and radiological protection (NSRP)

The Voivoda appropriate for the province where the investment is to be located

The Voivoda from the province where the investor will be interested in constructing a power plant will issue a decision “Site Indication” and a decision about the location of the nuclear power facility.

An estimated cost of main government activities related to nuclear power programme implementation up to 2024 is PLN 265 million (ca. EUR 66.25 million). A detailed list of expenses can be found in appendix 2. of the PNPP (pages 144-145):

[http://www.mg.gov.pl/files/upload/10960/PPEJ%20eng.2014.docx]

The NPP itself will be financed using various sources:

• Investors own capital (equity);

• Debt: probably loans from Export Credit Agency (ECA), commercial loans from financial institutions (banks);

• Other forms like EURATOM loans, project bonds etc. if possible and feasible.

The final decision on financing method will be taken by the utility in parallel with reactor vendor selection, since the PGE expects the vendors will come with proposals of project financing using their established business partnerships with financial institutions (for example a reactor vendor may be willing to arrange loans from ECA from his mother country).

FIG 2. Scheme of the extra high voltage power grid (NTN).

The National Transmission Network (NTN) is comprised of 220 kV and 400 kV lines. The 220 kV network is well developed and interconnected, whereas the 400 kV network is relatively well developed only in the south of the country, while in eastern and northern Poland there are still “radial” lines which are at particular risk of disturbances and lengthy blackouts.

One of the most important barriers for introducing new units of over 1000 MWe, regardless of type, to the Polish Power System (PPS) is the lack of an adequately developed 400 kV transmission network. Moreover, a proper level of active power (second and minute redundancy) regulation services should be provided. Together with the development of nuclear power, decisive steps must be taken to accelerate the activities connected with the development of the network regarding both the stations and the network.

The only Transmission System Operator (TSO) in Poland is Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne S.A. (acronym: PSE).

In 2013 PSE together with PGE commissioned a feasibility study of NPP connection to the grid. The results indicate that there are no major technical obstacles, though some reinforcement of the transmission system in northern Poland will be needed. The cost of reinforcement will be included in the NPP project and the extent of increase of NPP investment costs will be moderate.

In 2009, the Ministry of Economy updated the list of NPP sites considered up to 1990 in cooperation with local authorities. Also, new offers presented by local authorities were collected. On this basis, a new list of 28 potential locations of NPPs was prepared.

In 2010, the Ministry of Economy commissioned a study entitled: A Study of Criteria of Nuclear Power Plant Locations and Their Initial Evaluation. Within this study, a ranking list of locations was made taking into account expert opinions on 17 evaluation criteria.

The results were published on the Ministry of Economy website and passed on to the potential investor of the first Polish NPP for further research and analyses.

PGE SA started further analyses of the first four sites from the beginning of the list (Zarnowiec, Warta – Klempicz, Kopan, Nowe Miasto). Choczewo and Lubiatowo-Kopalino joined the other sites due to their coastal location which is characterized by more favorable cooling conditions than is the case of locations inland, and potentially better economic conditions for electrical energy production. Finally, in November 2011, PGE selected 3 sites for detailed studies: Choczewo, Gaski and Zarnowiec. The last one was a site of NPP construction during the 1980s, with available infrastructure and with detailed environmental, seismological, hydrogeological, meteorological and other relevant documentation based on previous studies.

The most important factors taken into account in the process of site selection will be: the area available for the construction of the power plant and its facilities, access to sufficient amounts of cooling water and raw water (for technological and social needs), the possibility of power take-off from the plant, geological structure and seismic stability of the area, hydrogeological characteristics, population density and distribution in the vicinity of the plant, restrictions on the construction and operation of the power plant due to the conditions of the surrounding area, including environmental protection area development, accessibility to communication routes, lack of threats from nature or human activities and suitable meteorological conditions.

In January 2013, PGE concluded a tender for performing detailed site studies for three potential sites indicated by the investor. The winning bid was made by Worley Parsons. In this task, the previously obtained results (together with site studies made in the 1980s) within this field will be used. However, in December 2014 the utility cancelled the contract with Worley Parsons due to significant delays caused by the contractor. PGE declared the studies will be carried on by the utility itself with the help of subcontractors. It is expected now that site characterization studies will be finished by the end of 2015.

The “Gaski” site is no longer being considered due to public acceptance issues.

In Poland there are several research institutes related to nuclear energy. The most important are the following:

The National Centre For Nuclear Research (NCBJ). Created in 2011 through the merge of the POLATOM Institute for Atomic Energy (IEA) and the Soltan Institute for Nuclear Studies (IPJ) with the aim to optimise the management of resources located in the Swierk Research Centre. The institute is equipped with the 30 MWth MARIA research reactor and deals with reactor physics and nuclear engineering, nuclear safety, radiation protection, radioactive waste management, application of nuclear techniques in industry, science, environmental protection, solid-state physics, and computing techniques. It also carries radioisotope production and irradiation services as a part of the global radioisotope supply chain.

The Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology (ICHTJ), Warsaw, is specialized in radiation chemistry and technology, application of nuclear methods in material and process engineering, design and production of instruments based on nuclear techniques, radiation analytical techniques and environmental research. Basic research is focused on radiochemistry, chemistry of isotopes, physical chemistry of separation processes, cellular radiobiology and radiation chemistry.

The Central Laboratory for Radiological Protection (CLRP), Warsaw, carries out work in the field of monitoring of environmental radioactivity; personal dosimetry, controlling the use of radioactive sources, research on mechanisms of influence of radiation upon biological organisms, behavior of radionuclides in the environment; development of dosimetric methods, calibration, control and standardization of dosimetric equipment and training for radiological protection officers.

The H. Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kraków, is specialized in theoretical and experimental research in the following fields: high energy and elementary particle physics, physics of the structure of the nucleus and of nuclear reaction mechanisms, studies of the structure, interactions and properties of condensed matter, applications of nuclear methods in geophysics, radiochemistry, medicine, biology, environmental physics and materials engineering. The Institute of Nuclear Physics in Krakow now belongs to the institutions working under the Polish Academy of Sciences.

The Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science of the University of Science and Technology AGH in Krakow, is involved in theoretical and experimental aspects of elementary particle physics, solid state physics, theoretical and computing physics, nuclear electronics, radiation detectors, X-ray fluorescence and microdosimetry, hydrology and gas chromatography, nuclear geophysics, effective energy conversion, medical physics and industrial radiometry. The research programmes are carried out in close collaboration with many international laboratories and centers (e.g. DESY, CERN).

The Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine ( IMP JN), Lódz, has as a primary task to conduct R&D activities and provide expertise on health hazards arising from occupational and environmental exposure to noxious agents. The multidisciplinary nature of the research performed at IMP JN makes it possible to address complex environmental and health related problems.

The above listed research institutes together with universities will comprise TSOs (Technical Support Organizations) for nuclear regulatory or the operator of a nuclear facility. In 2011, the NAEA signed respective agreements on cooperation with IEA POLATOM (now NCBJ) and the PAN Institute of Geophysics.

Poland does not have its own nuclear industry yet, and is collaborating with other countries on the development of new technologies in the meantime. The National Centre For Nuclear Research is involved in the EUROATOM framework, mainly the SNETP activities, among them the Allegro gas cooled reactor project and ESNII, also being a coordinator of the NC2I project focusing on the nuclear cogeneration concept. The National Centre For Nuclear Research is involved in the ITER project on the scientific and technical level.

Aside from the projects mentioned in the above paragraph, Poland is a member of INPRO and IFNEC (formerly called GNEP). The institutes take part in numerous activities carried out by different organizations and platforms like: EURATOM Supply Agency, OECD-NEA, IGD-TP, COST, IRPA, MELODI. The Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology is a Collaborating Centre of the IAEA.

The NAEA is an institution of nuclear regulation. The Agency was set up at the beginning of the1980s and since its beginning has dealt with the licensing process of the Zarnowiec NPP and other nuclear facilities in Poland.

The activities of the President of the NAEA were described in section 2.3.2.

The Act – Atomic Law and other acts for implementing the Law, define regulations on the requirements for:

1. radiological protection (of employees, population and patients)

2. nuclear and radiation safety, including:

• Safety of nuclear facilities;

• Handling of nuclear materials and sources of ionizing radiation;

• Radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel;

• Transport of radioactive materials and sources as well as spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste;

• Evaluation of radiation conditions and emergency procedures.

3. physical protection (of nuclear facilities and nuclear materials)

4. non-proliferation of nuclear materials and technologies (protection)

5. legal liability for nuclear damage

The licensing process is regulated by the Amendment to the Atomic Law accepted by the Parliament and signed by the President in June 2011.