At the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, Poland joined over 20 countries that pledged to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050, emphasizing nuclear energy as a key to clean, safe, and stable energy for the future.
Polish President Andrzej Duda highlighted the crucial role of nuclear energy in achieving a fair energy transition. The declaration adopted in Dubai at the COP28 climate conference marks a pivotal moment in the world’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
Duda pointed out that without nuclear energy, it would be challenging to meet ambitious climate goals and protect the planet. The declaration, signed by Poland and other countries including France, the United States, Romania, Finland, the UAE, Canada, Sweden, and Bulgaria, underscores the importance of nuclear power in global climate strategy.
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The signatories have agreed to collaborate towards the goal of tripling nuclear energy capacity, ensuring responsible operation of nuclear plants according to high safety and security standards, and promoting nuclear energy as a clean power source. This includes mobilizing investments in nuclear power and innovative financial mechanisms.
Poland, currently without nuclear power plants, is intensifying its Polish Nuclear Power Programme. Advanced efforts are underway to construct the first plant by 2033, in collaboration with U.S. corporations Westinghouse and Bechtel. President Duda also mentioned Poland’s ongoing process to select a location and technology for a second nuclear power plant, highlighting Poland’s openness to international cooperation in nuclear energy development.
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Moreover, Duda revealed ongoing efforts to build another nuclear plant through a formal collaboration involving state-owned PGE S.A., private ZE PAK, and South Korea’s KHNP. The Polish Ministry of Climate recently took a significant step, allowing the project to proceed to the next phase of obtaining the necessary approvals and permits.
Highlighting Poland’s active role in the European Union, Duda noted Poland’s success in advocating for the inclusion of nuclear energy in the Net-Zero Industry Act. He stressed the need for decisive steps in supporting nuclear energy within the EU, especially during Poland’s upcoming presidency in the first half of 2025, focusing on a fair energy transition with an emphasis on nuclear power.
Duda concluded by emphasizing the urgency and necessity of bold, swift, and effective actions in advancing nuclear energy development, not just for the current generation but for future generations, with the Polish president stating there is a need for immediate action to achieve ambitious climate goals.
