Poland’s first nuclear power plant is set to become not only a source of clean and affordable energy but also a catalyst for the development of a modern industrial ecosystem. Experts emphasize that this is a project capable of strengthening Poland’s economy for the next century — offering domestic companies the opportunity to participate in the global nuclear supply chain, provided they develop the necessary competencies and readiness.
“The construction of the first nuclear power plant in Poland is a highly strategic project for us as a country positioned to lead the global nuclear energy renaissance. Polish companies now have a tremendous opportunity to leverage their potential and become pioneers in rebuilding the European nuclear sector, while also shaping a new domestic industry,”
said Monika Silva, Deputy General Director of IGEOS Nuclear, in an interview with the Newseria agency.
Poland 58% ready for nuclear energy launch
According to a joint report by Baker McKenzie and Polityka Insight, Poland is 58% prepared to begin the construction of its first nuclear power plant. This indicates that the country already has a solid institutional, legal, and political foundation, along with broad public support — over 92% of Poles approve of nuclear energy, according to a 2024 survey commissioned by the Ministry of Industry.
The greatest challenges lie in technology and workforce development, which were rated the lowest in the report. Nonetheless, Poland is among the countries best positioned to build a complete nuclear value chain — provided it ensures effective support for domestic companies and implements comprehensive technical training programs.
“This is not a 10- or 15-year project. It’s truly an investment in both human and industrial capital for 80–100 years, followed by another century of involvement during the decommissioning phase. The long-term perspective and economic potential make it a crucial driver of Polish industrial development,”
Silva added.
A multi-industry driver of growth
Nuclear energy is far more than an energy project — it is an industrial and technological undertaking that engages numerous sectors, from steel production and engineering to automation, IT, and quality control. The investment is expected to boost industrial innovation, expand exports of technical services, and create thousands of skilled jobs across related industries.
The report’s authors stress the importance of developing domestic supply chains, which could secure a significant share of contracts for Polish companies.
“We estimate that local companies could account for at least 50% participation. Polish firms are already capable of executing large-scale energy projects, including nuclear ones — we have several industrial champions already involved,” says Silva. “Polish companies have acquired nuclear know-how abroad, as the domestic nuclear sector is only now being built.”
Industrial capacity and global experience
According to data from the Polish Economic Institute (PIE), more than 70% of Polish companies have experience in the energy industry that could be applied to nuclear projects, and nearly one-third (29%) already possess international nuclear energy experience.
The report “How Much of Poland in the Atom? Local Content in the Nuclear Energy Program” estimates that Polish companies could provide around 40% of the project’s value, though they face barriers such as high certification costs, a shortage of qualified specialists, and limited access to financing for preparatory work.
“Out of 100 companies with nuclear-related experience, at least half have over 10 years of expertise in developing and delivering products or services for the nuclear energy market. We hope these firms will share their know-how with others to build a comprehensive supply chain and participate not only in the Polish nuclear project but also in international ones,” Silva explained.
Building local competence through education and training
PIE notes that the sectors with the highest participation potential include materials engineering, steel structure fabrication, industrial automation, and engineering and quality-control services. Many of these firms are already cooperating with foreign partners on nuclear projects in France, Finland, and South Korea, which strengthens their position in the European supply network.
“Polish companies are increasingly interested in contributing to the country’s first nuclear power plant. Four years ago, the challenge was not a lack of information, but a lack of faith and knowledge about how to engage. Now, firms clearly see the potential and are ready to dedicate their expertise to this sector. We want to continue spreading awareness and promoting domestic participation, as we know Polish companies — once they meet nuclear industry standards — are fully capable of taking part,”
Silva emphasized.
Education and knowledge transfer will ultimately determine how much domestic industry contributes to the nuclear program. Training, certification, and competence development are becoming key to building Poland’s long-term industrial capability. This includes the creation of a technical ecosystem encompassing engineers, auditors, quality specialists, and documentation experts — a foundation that can serve both domestic and international investments for decades.
IGEOS Nuclear workshops prepare industry for nuclear participation
Workshops organized by IGEOS Nuclear are among the most important tools for preparing Polish industry for nuclear participation. They focus on practical aspects of quality assurance, compliance audits, and implementation of global nuclear standards. The goal is to help Polish firms become fully recognized partners in the European nuclear market.
“This is the fifth edition of the ‘Polish Industry for Nuclear Energy’ workshop series, organized by IGEOS Nuclear for the Ministry of Energy in cooperation with the Warsaw University of Technology, the Upper Silesian Institute of Technology of the Łukasiewicz Network, and Bureau Veritas. So far, we have trained nearly 800 representatives from over 400 Polish companies, and we are continuing these initiatives — we are now halfway through this year’s program,”
concluded Monika Silva.
