Orlen announced that the first Polish SMR atomic power plant would be built in Włocławek. It was recalled that BWRX-300 reactors were included in the strategy of the company Tomorrow energy begins today. According to the document, by 2035 the company plans to launch at least 2 SMR reactors with a full power of 0.6 GW.
In Poland, the first tiny atomic power plant BWRX-300 will be built in Europe. We're building tomorrow's energy. We have spent more than a year negotiating conditions to safe ORLENU's interests, providing our joint venture with Synthos with direct access to American technology said Ireneusz Fąfara, president of ORLENU.
Orlen explained that the agreement with Synthos covers 2 main elements. The first concerns the operation of Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE), in which both companies hold 50 percent shares. The changes introduced balance the rights of partners and at the same time increase control of Orlen on key corporate issues.
The second component is the licence agreement, providing OSGE with full access to the American BWRX-300 technology – the alleged Standard Design, which allows to start the process leading to the construction of the first Polish SMR atomic power plant in Włocławek. The investment will be carried out by a targeted company controlled by Orlen.
End of argument?
Energy portal24 recalls that the dispute between Synthos and Orlen concerning tiny SMR reactors has been going on since 2023. The 2 companies set up the OSGE Joint Undertaking to carry out the project, but after the changes in the management of Orlen, doubts arose as to the safety of the interests of the state company and the distribution of revenues. OSGE CEO, Rafał Kasprów, accused ABW of act of political struggle, and Synthos allowed Orlen to retreat while stressing that the SMR programme would continue. Negotiations have been ongoing since November 2023 and the situation has stabilised in January 2025.
Despite erstwhile reservations by the ABW and discussions on the location of the investment, the task was approved by ministries and environmental offices. OSGE has besides signed global agreements, including with Canadian Ontario Power Generation, and agreements on the construction of BWRX-300 reactors in Hungary and Slovakia, allowing Poland to become a pioneer in the improvement of SMR in Europe.
