Poland's KGHM signs small modular reactor agreement with NuScale Power

Polish state-owned copper mining company KGHM signed an agreement Feb. 14 to initiate the deployment of US company NuScale Power's small modular reactor technology to replace KGHM's existing coal-fired cogeneration plants, NuScale said in a statement.

Under the early works agreement, NuScale will work with KGHM to deploy the US company's VOYGR power units as early as 2029. Poland, which does not currently operate any nuclear power reactors, is seeking to deploy nuclear energy as part of its plan to reduce emissions and cut its dependence on coal for electricity.

In August 2020, NuScale became the first company to receive design certification from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a small modular reactor. The company is working toward the approval and commercialization of a similar but larger-capacity version of that design.

Different module sizes

The Portland, Oregon-based company is developing its VOYGR SMRs to be offered in packages, ranging from the four-reactor 308-MW VOYGR-4 to the 12-module 924-MW VOYGR-12.

In comments made to the Polish energy web portal BiznesAlert.pl Feb. 14, Poland's deputy prime minister, Jacek Sasin, who attended the signing ceremony at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC, said KGHM is planning to construct four 77-MW light water reactors, with the option to expand to 12 later.

Sasin said at the signing ceremony that Poland is transitioning its energy sector away from coal, which currently accounts for 70% of the country's electricity generation mix, toward low- and zero-carbon fuels.

"Hopefully, in about seven or eight years, the first SMR will be operational in Poland," he said.

KGHM CEO Marcin Chludzinski said at the ceremony that the project is strategic for his company, Poland's second-largest industrial energy consumer. The company, based in Lubin, in southwestern Poland, generates up to a quarter of its energy needs from its four coal and gas-fired cogeneration plants, which have a combined generation capacity of 100 MW.

"KGHM is proud to lead the initiation of a 100% carbon-free energy project, delivering on its commitment to lead efforts to decarbonize," Chludzinski said in the NuScale statement. "The SMR technology will increase the company's cost efficiency and transform the Polish energy sector."

The early works agreement follows the signing last September of a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in the development, licensing and construction of SMRs in Poland.

NuScale, which is being spun off by majority owner Fluor, has said it believes a large part of the market for SMRs will be outside the US. However, the company is in talks with Utah Associated Municipal Power System to deploy a six-reactor plant in Idaho as early as 2029.

Large scale reactors

The Polish government is also seeking to construct between 6 GW and 9 GW of generation III or III+ large scale pressurized water reactors.

Under a 2021 intergovernmental agreement, the US is expected in September to present Poland with its offer to supply the technology and a partner to take up to a 49% capital stake in the project. Warsaw is seeking to commission the first reactor in 2033.