Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe and Warsaw University of Technology signed a cooperation agreement to train personnel for the nuclear sector

This is another such agreement of the investor responsible for the construction and subsequent operation of nuclear power plants, which will be built under the Polish Nuclear Power Program. The aim of the cooperation between Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe and the Warsaw University of Technology is to support the process of building human resources for the nuclear industry in Poland.

'The first nuclear power plant will be the largest investment project in the energy sector and in Polish history. The power plant in Pomerania could cover the demand for electricity of as many as 12 million households in Poland. The scale of investment related to nuclear power could result in economic growth at around 1% GDP. In the economic context, nuclear power plants will stem the rise in energy costs for consumers, and even lower them for the end user. As much as 70 percent of the value of nuclear power investments may be generated by Polish companies. Polish industry can be involved in the investment project at minimum 40 percent of the value of the construction of the first nuclear unit, and this share will increase steadily in the future. We really need Polish engineers to participate in the process of building Polish nuclear power plants. Therefore, the agreement signed today is a step forward and a response to demand in the coming years,’ said Anna Moskwa, Minister of Climate and Environment.

’Consistent execution of the Nuclear Power Program is the Polish Government’s response to the need to increase the energy security of our country and to meet Poles’ future demand for electricity. We are active in Pomerania, supporting local governments and residents. A dedicated program to support local governments will be launched this fall. The support is intended to foster the region’s sustainability, ensuring first and foremost the development of existing infrastructure. The Program assumes coordinated efforts of investors, local governments and the State Government. It is equally important for us to train Polish personnel who will actively participate in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants in our country, and therefore Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is signing today a cooperation agreement with a key technical university in Poland – Warsaw University of Technology,’ said Anna Łukaszewska-Trzeciakowska, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure.

According to the Ministry of Climate and Environment, there are already about 80 companies based in Poland that provide services to nuclear technology vendors around the world. Another 300 entities are ready to join the Polish nuclear supply chain as part of the execution of the Polish Nuclear Power Program.

’The dynamic development of the nuclear sector and acquisition of new competencies by Polish companies in connection with acceleration of the Polish Nuclear Power Program will require adequately trained personnel. I believe that cooperation with one of the best technical universities in Poland will help to achieve this goal,’ said Łukasz Młynarkiewicz, acting President of Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe.

The agreement between PEJ and WUT provides for expert and research cooperation. It also includes arrangements for cooperation in the development and implementation of scholarship programs, co-organization of contests for scientific papers or project contests. Under the agreement, the company-investor and the university undertake to work together on a curriculum to enable WUT graduates to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to find employment in the nuclear sector.

’The Warsaw University of Technology has been training personnel for the nuclear sector for many years, and we also have many outstanding experts in the field. The execution of the nuclear power plant project and the associated development of the entire industry considerably increases the demand for both well-trained engineering personnel and experts in the field. I am confident that the cooperation between the Warsaw University of Technology and Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe will provide top-class specialists in Poland, who will not only be able to build safe and advanced nuclear power plants, but will supervise the operation of the power plant or maintain the reactors and the entire infrastructure in full operation,’ said Prof. Krzysztof Zaremba, Rector of the Warsaw University of Technology, after signing the agreement.

Employees of Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe will prepare and conduct selected classes for students as part of the university’s undergraduate and graduate programs. Moreover, the company responsible for the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant committed to organize paid internships for the best graduates of selected university courses related to nuclear energy.