Poland approves nuclear energy plan and gas expansion to cut imports and boost industry

Story Timeline
8 days · 9 summary articles
Poland’s government on Friday advanced twin energy projects to bolster industrial resilience and cut imports, approving an updated nuclear power program and new rules to expand domestic gas production.
The Council of Ministers adopted the Polish Nuclear Energy Program, targeting up to 9 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity, with Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka emphasizing flexibility on reactor technology. Speaking at Energy Days in Katowice, Motyka said Poland would prioritize cost-effective projects, including small modular reactors, while maintaining no immediate plans for three large-scale plants. He noted rapid cost declines in energy storage could shift the calculus toward renewables paired with storage if demand surges .
Separately, the Senate approved amendments to renewable energy laws introducing an auction system to support biometane producers, with the Energy Regulatory Office overseeing bids. The Ministry of Climate and Environment said the changes would also allow operational and investment support to be combined, aiming to unlock Poland’s untapped biogas and biometane potential. Current capacity includes 416 plants—415 biogas and one biometane—with annual output at 1.6 terawatt-hours, or 0.94% of Poland’s 2024 electricity generation .
Private sector moves are already underway. Polish entrepreneurs pledged 500 million zloty to Synthos Green Energy’s SMR project, with foreign partners adding 400 million euros, including 100 million euros from GE Vernova. Michał Sołowow confirmed a new agreement with Orlen, while the 2027 budget draft earmarks support for nuclear plants and energy-intensive industries .
Negotiations for Poland’s first large-scale nuclear plant with a U.S. consortium continue, with Deputy Energy Minister Wojciech Wrochna describing the talks as difficult but progressing, and initial long-lead component orders already placed .
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