Large companies are buying this technology blindly. Poland is counting on it too.

One of the main topics of the last Energy Days conference in Katowice was nuclear technologies – also in the form of small, modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs.

Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) is the most advanced company in implementing small-scale nuclear power in Poland. The company recently submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Energy to initiate the European Commission's notification procedure for state aid in the form of Contracts for Difference (CfDs) for OSGE's planned fleet of 14 BWRX-300 reactors. The expected CfD level for OSGE's SMRs is €115–135/MWh .

WNP asked Arkadiusz Ratajczyk, a senior associate in Baker McKenzie's Sustainable Development and Energy Transition Team, whether Poland is legislatively ready for this technology and what he believes its development potential is in Poland. The expert also outlined why the Energy Law needs a major overhaul .

SMRs can green Polish heating and power data centers

"The problem with SMR technology is that it hasn't yet been commercially implemented in the Western world. That's why it's so important how the SMR project in Canada progresses ( the first SMR in the Western world is being built in Ontario - editor's note ). For now, everything is going well there," said Arkadiusz Ratajczak.

According to Ratajczak, the legislative structure for SMR projects is ready in Poland, as it is the same as in the case of large-scale nuclear energy.

In Poland, we need to "green" the heating sector. We must use low- and zero-emission technologies that are stable, and this includes small nuclear reactors," Ratajczyk emphasized.

The rapidly growing industries of data centers and artificial intelligence also require enormous amounts of energy.

- The largest technology companies, such as Google, Amazon and Microsoft, are signing contracts with SMR technology suppliers because it is so promising that they are willing to risk large amounts of money just to test it - Ratajczak emphasized.

According to our source, there are development scenarios that show that there could be over a hundred SMRs in Poland in the long term. Moving in this direction would allow this technology to achieve economies of scale and repeatability in the production process.

- The elements would not be built for a specific location, as in the case of a large power plant, but would then be subject to standardization , also in terms of legislation, which would significantly facilitate the implementation of such investments - noted the lawyer.

Energy law to be codified

In an interview with WNP, the expert also noted that the current Energy Law is very complex and extensive, and the industry and specialists would like to see this law codified and rewritten. However, he noted, given the current political climate, this would be a "Sisyphean task."

"The regulations regarding connections, Article 7, are very extensive and complicated, with numerous editorial sections. Yet, they are also crucial to the investment process . Simplification would be very helpful for stakeholders," concluded Ratajczyk.