Moon Seung-wook, Minister of Industry, Engages in Nuclear Power Plant Contracting Activities in Poland

Meeting with Piotr Naimski, Special Envoy for Energy Infrastructure

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Our government has launched efforts to secure nuclear power plant orders in Poland.

On the 5th (local time), Moon Seung-wook, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, met with Piotr Naimski, Special Envoy for Energy Infrastructure, in Warsaw, Poland, to discuss nuclear power plant order activities as well as cooperation in energy sectors such as hydrogen and batteries. In addition to Naimski, who leads Poland's energy policy decisions, several high-ranking Polish government officials related to the nuclear power plant business and energy sector, including Adam Giburze Czetwertynski, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, attended the meeting.

Minister Moon emphasized that Korea is the optimal partner for Poland's nuclear power plant project and requested interest and support to enable Korean companies to participate in the project. He first explained that the UAE nuclear power plant project, which Korea secured, began commercial operation of its first unit in April, and expressed confidence in appropriate budgeting and timely construction for the Poland nuclear power plant project as well. Currently, Team Korea, led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, is preparing to advance the Poland nuclear power plant project, and Minister Moon also revealed plans to submit a project proposal to the Polish government in the first half of 2022, reflecting not only the technical characteristics of Korean nuclear power but also technology transfer and workforce training measures. He emphasized that realistic financing plans are also being prepared together with financial institutions and related companies and organizations.

Special Envoy Naimski explained Poland's nuclear power plant project plans, stating that they are looking for a partner who will not only supply technology but also operate the nuclear power plant, and evaluated Korea as one of the important candidates for cooperation. He particularly expressed interest in the possibility of Korea-US cooperation on the Poland nuclear power plant project while explaining the nuclear cooperation between the Polish and US governments. In response, Minister Moon explained that a foundation for trilateral cooperation among Korea, the US, and Poland on the Poland nuclear power plant project has been established through agreements between the Korean and US heads of state.

Furthermore, both sides exchanged opinions on ways to strengthen cooperation in various energy sectors such as hydrogen, CCUS, and batteries.

Both parties adopted a joint statement to establish an Energy Joint Committee between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment to discuss concrete cooperation plans in energy sectors including nuclear power and hydrogen. They also agreed to hold the joint committee meeting in the first half of next year. Taking this visit to Poland as an opportunity, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, and Daewoo Engineering & Construction signed five memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the Polish Power Industry Association and engineering and construction companies in the nuclear power sector, agreeing to cooperate for entry into the Poland nuclear power plant project.