OSGE planning ambitious programme of nuclear plant construction
The construction and operation of a single GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy BWRX-300 small modular reactor in Poland could lead to the creation of over 2,700 new jobs in the country, contributing an estimated PLN 24bn (€5.1bn, $5.5bn) to the economy, according to a report.
This economic impact includes up to PLN 24 bn in gross added value and PLN 3 bn in remuneration, the report, prepared by consulting firm KPMG for Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE), said.
OSGE, a joint venture between state-owned Polish energy giant Orlen SA and Synthos Green Energy, has said it plans to build a fleet of SMRs in several locations, including Wloclawek in central Poland, Ostroleka in the northeast and Stalowa Wola in the southeast. The exact locations have yet to be finalised.
Dawid Jackiewicz, vice-president of OSGE’s management board, said he was optimistic about the project’s potential benefits for both the energy system and the broader Polish economy. He said investments would contribute to local government budgets and also serve as a catalyst for local development.
The report said the deployment of BWRX-300 technology would have a positive impact on both the national and local economies.
The report estimates that a single-reactor power plant could generate PLN 88 million from personal income tax over 60 years, PLN 155 million from corporate income tax over the same period and PLN 360,000 a year from real estate tax for local municipalities.
The report says data from the US and Central European countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, shows that employees at nuclear power plants can expect attractive compensation packages, typically 20-30% higher than industry averages.
In the US, nuclear plant employees earn annual salaries ranging from $80,000 to $175,000.
