OSGE and development agency sign agreement for Polish SMR project

The project will be implemented through the investment arm of the special-purpose vehicle BWRX-300 Stalowa Wola sp zoo, whose representatives were also signatories to the letter of intent.

Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) said the letter of intent is "the starting point for developing an investment agreement" between the Industrial Development Agency (ARP) - the entity managing the entire Tarnobrzeg Special Economic Zone Euro-Park Wisłosan - and OSGE, which plans to build a power plant featuring GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy BWRX-300 small modular reactors (SMRs). "The parties recognise the potential for cooperation involving ARP as an investor in the special purpose vehicle implementing the project in Stalowa Wola, with the investment decision remaining contingent upon agreement on the terms of the transaction."

Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) - a joint venture between chemical producers SGE and PKN Orlen - intends to build the SMRs at the Euro-Park Stalowa Wola Strategic Investment Park - an almost 1,000-hectare site that is part of the Tarnobrzeg Special Economic Zone Euro-Park Wisłosan. The zone is managed by the ARP and encompasses 35 counties and 261 municipalities in the Podkarpackie, Lublin, and Masovian Voivodeships. Euro-Park Stalowa Wola is intended for industrial investments supporting the development and implementation of modern technologies in the fields of energy, electromobility, transport, hydrogen, aviation, and automotive. The demand of Euro-Park Stalowa Wola investors for energy supplies is estimated at up to 1,500 MW in 2030.

In consultation with the city authorities of Stalowa Wola and based on analyses, OSGE has identified two properties within the Euro-Park Stalowa Wola Strategic Investment Park. An application to the General Director for Environmental Protection (GDOŚ) for an environmental permit and to determine the scope of the environmental impact report is being finalised. According to the decision in principle, a maximum of four units with BWRX-300 reactors can be built there.

"It will provide a technological leap forward, thanks to the latest nuclear technologies and accompanying investments such as a data centre," said Rafał Kasprów, president of the Management Board of OSGE.

"The green transformation of Polish industry is not only a duty, but above all, a civilisational opportunity for our country to take a favourable place on the economic train of the future," said Bartłomiej Babuśka, President of the Management Board of the Industrial Development Agency. "This train is heading towards zero-emission and stable energy, and small modular reactor technology is its key driver and is destined for success. That's why, as the Industrial Development Agency, we are actively engaged in projects that will ensure the country's energy security and create a foundation for technological innovation at Euro-Park Stalowa Wola."

Krzysztof Telega, Vice-President of the Management Board of the Industrial Development Agency, added: "As an active investor, we are keenly interested in any serious project that brings us truly closer to our vision of a sovereign, independent, and green energy sector. Collaborating with OSGE on the construction of modular SMR reactors in Stalowa Wola is a milestone in the development of our special economic zone and a foundation of security for investors who are already planning their future here."

OSGE plans to build a fleet of GE Hitachi BWRX-300 reactors in Poland. In May 2023, the company received a positive general opinion from the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency regarding selected technical assumptions for the BWRX-300 reactor technology. This is an element of the pre-licensing process. In December 2023, the Ministry of Climate and Environment issued decisions in principle for the implementation of the investment in six locations: Stawy Monowskie, Włocławek, Ostrołęka, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Kraków-Nowa Huta and Stalowa Wola-Tarnobrzeg.

The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems that leverages the design and licensing basis of GEH's US Nuclear Regulatory Commission-certified ESBWR boiling water reactor design and its existing, licensed GNF2 fuel design, a unique combination that GEH says positions it to deliver an "innovative, carbon-free baseload power generation source" this decade.

The first BWRX-300 is under construction at Ontario Power Generation's Darlington site in Canada, with completion expected by the end of the decade.