Polish Government Aims for Strong Domestic Involvement in Nuclear Energy Program. Ministry Plans Creation of Nuclear Competence Center to Develop Skilled Workforce and Boost Industrial Participation.
The Polish government has announced that domestic companies will play as large a role as possible in the national nuclear energy program. However, this ambition depends heavily on the human capital and technical capabilities of Poland’s industrial sector — resources that remain insufficient for now. According to the Ministry of Energy, this challenge is not unique to Poland but affects all of Europe, which has maintained strong expertise in the operation of nuclear reactors, but not in building new ones.
To address these gaps, the government plans to establish a Nuclear Competence Center, while research institutes and technical universities are already serving as key training grounds for future specialists.
Building Nuclear Know-How in Poland
“Scientific research in the field of nuclear energy plays a vital role in several areas. Above all, it allows us to develop the competencies that can later be used by research institutes and universities to provide technical and expert support for investors, the National Atomic Energy Agency, and other institutions involved in Poland’s nuclear energy program,”
said Dr. Paweł Gajda, Director of the Department of Nuclear Energy at the Ministry of Energy, in an interview with the Newseria news agency.
“In terms of readiness to implement a nuclear project, I believe we have reached the minimum thresholds for workforce size and competence. This readiness involves not only scientific and research institutions, but also private companies, regulatory bodies, and public administration — all of which must be able to coordinate the process,”
added Prof. Jakub Kupecki, Director of the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR).
“The project has accelerated precisely because we’ve reached what we call a ‘critical mass’ that allows effective implementation.”
Advisory Team to Strengthen Domestic Participation
The Ministry of Energy has recently established an Advisory Team to enhance the participation of Polish entities in the preparation and construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant.
The team’s mission is to develop strategies and solutions that will significantly increase local involvement. The level of domestic participation will depend primarily on meeting strict quality standards and on expanding the pool of qualified personnel.
A study by the Polish Economic Institute earlier this year found that many Polish companies are eager to join the nuclear project. Among 100 surveyed firms in the construction, machinery, and engineering sectors:
- Over 70% reported having experience in the energy sector relevant to nuclear projects.
- 29% declared prior participation in foreign nuclear ventures.
The main barriers identified were difficulties in securing financing for preparatory activities and a skills gap, particularly in recruiting specialized engineers and technicians.
Nuclear Competence Center: A Hub for Training and Certification
One of the Advisory Team’s key tasks will be to help create the Nuclear Competence Center, a specialized agency dedicated to coordinating and supporting the development of human resources, training programs, and certification systems needed for the nuclear program.
According to the Ministry of Energy, the center will also enable Polish companies to take part in international nuclear projects scheduled to begin across Europe in the coming years.
“All of Europe faces a serious challenge in terms of nuclear expertise,”
said Dr. Paweł Gajda.
“Very few nuclear plants have been built here in recent decades. The European nuclear industry is excellent at operating reactors, but building new ones requires rebuilding lost competencies. Many specialists in Poland and across Europe will retire soon, so we must encourage young people to enter the nuclear field — both in industry and academia — and build long-term careers to form the backbone of our nuclear program.”
An Interdisciplinary Effort
Nuclear energy requires a broadly interdisciplinary approach. The program will involve not only physicists and nuclear engineers, but also cybersecurity experts, automation engineers, materials scientists, and even specialists in social sciences and communication.
“We must approach this holistically. If we lack just one of these specializations, it can hinder the implementation of key parts of the program,”
emphasized Dr. Gajda.
“Nuclearization” of Engineering Studies
In May 2025, the Ministry of Energy (formerly the Ministry of Industry) launched a project with major Polish universities of technology — including those in Gdańsk, Warsaw, Silesia, Wrocław, and the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków — as well as domestic industrial partners.
The initiative aims to introduce nuclear-related content into degree programs beyond traditional nuclear engineering, such as civil engineering, automation, and materials science.
New courses will include topics such as reactor technologies, nuclear safety, and nuclear project management.
Under the agreement, participating companies have committed to providing paid long-term internships for students. The project, financed through the Polish Nuclear Power Program (PPEJ), launched as a pilot in 2025 and is expected to expand in the coming years.
“We’re planning further support measures for universities and research institutes. For example, we’ve already launched a large internship program this year for students of Polish universities to work in domestic companies joining the nuclear supply chain. These initiatives will gradually build competencies while encouraging experienced professionals from related sectors — such as materials and mechanical engineering — to apply their expertise in the nuclear field,”
said Dr. Gajda.
Thousands of New Jobs Ahead
The construction of nuclear power plants and related infrastructure is expected to create thousands of high-paying jobs on-site and in surrounding areas.
According to the 2020 Polish Nuclear Power Program (PPEJ) document, using a model developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
- The construction of a single nuclear unit requires 3,000–4,000 workers across a wide range of professions — from trained laborers, welders, and mechanics to crane operators, electricians, surveyors, and engineers.
- 80–90% of those employed have technical or vocational education.
- Once operational, a single-unit plant typically employs 500–700 staff, while a twin-unit facility needs about 1,000 employees.
Nuclear Energy as a Strategic Pillar
“For many reasons, nuclear power will play an increasingly important role in Poland’s energy sector. It provides stable electricity prices, low emissions, and enhances energy security. Nuclear fuel is easy to stockpile for many years, doesn’t require continuous deliveries, and can be sourced from multiple directions without the complex infrastructure needed for gas or oil. At the same time, we want to build a domestic nuclear industrial ecosystem to service these plants and supply spare parts,”
said Dr. Paweł Gajda.
In France, approximately 220,000 people are employed across 3,000 companies in the nuclear sector, according to EDF. Nuclear energy there accounts for over 60% of total electricity generation, making it the third-largest industrial sector in the country — and a model Poland now aims to follow.
