Poland will make history by building one of Europe’s first small modular nuclear reactor (SMR). The state-owned energy company Orlen has announced an agreement with Synthos Green Energy to build the plant in Włocławek, central Poland. The project will use GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 reactor technology, the first of its kind in Europe. It marks a big step in Poland’s plan to move away from coal and invest in clean energy.
Project Factsheet: Poland’s small modular nuclear reactor
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Location: Włocławek, central Poland.
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Technology: GE Hitachi BWRX-300 small modular reactor.
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Capacity: Up to 300 megawatts per unit.
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Partners: Orlen (Poland) and Synthos Green Energy.
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Support: Backed by US agencies, with up to $4 billion pledged.
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Timeline: Environmental report expected to take around two years.
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Ownership: Joint venture named OSGE, with equal shares.
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Goal: Poland aims to produce 23% of its electricity from nuclear power by 2040.
What are small modular reactors?
Small modular reactors are compact nuclear plants. They have a power capacity of up to 300 megawatts, about one-third of a traditional reactor. Their modular design allows factory assembly, which makes them faster and cheaper to build.
SMRs offer several advantages. They can connect to existing grids or power remote areas. They can also replace coal plants or serve as backup energy sources. SMRs are safer, relying on passive systems like gravity and natural circulation for cooling. They also use less fuel.
However, there are challenges. SMRs may produce more nuclear waste because of neutron leakage. They also need a higher enrichment of uranium, which makes the spent fuel more radioactive.
Why Włocławek?
Włocławek is already an important hub for Poland’s energy and chemical industries. Building the first SMR in Poland here will strengthen the region’s economy. It will create jobs and support the country’s shift to clean energy.
Orlen’s CEO, Ireneusz Fąfara, called the Poland’s small modular nuclear reactor project “the energy of tomorrow.” He said it will help Poland secure access to modern SMR technology and reduce coal dependence.
Poland’s energy strategy
Poland has long relied heavily on coal. In 2019, it consumed nearly 87% of all coal used in EU households. This has made Poland one of the EU’s largest greenhouse gas emitters.
The government now plans to change. In 2023, Poland approved the construction of 24 SMRs at six sites. The Włocławek nuclear project is the first major step in this plan. By 2035, Orlen expects to have at least two reactors running, with a combined capacity of 0.6 gigawatts.
This aligns with the country’s goal of producing nearly a quarter of its electricity from nuclear power by 2040.
Building one of Europe’s first small modular nuclear power plant will not be simple. Nuclear projects face strict regulation, high costs, and public concern about waste. But Orlen and Synthos Green Energy believe access to US technology and strong government backing will make the project succeed.
The Włocławek project is more than an energy plan. It is a symbol of change for Poland. For decades, the country depended on coal. Now, it is leading Europe with the first BWRX-300 SMR.
If successful, the Poland’s small modular nuclear reactor project will boost country’s energy security, cut emissions, and inspire other European nations to explore small modular reactors. This marks the beginning of a new era for clean energy in Poland and across Europe.
Poland’s move builds on momentum already seen in the region. Earlier in 2025, Estonia became the first country in Central and Eastern Europe to formally launch a national planning process for a small modular reactor project. By choosing the same GE Hitachi BWRX-300 technology, both nations are setting the pace for how SMRs could transform Europe’s energy mix.
