Poland informs Lithuania of environmental decision on Poland's first nuclear power plant project
Poland has officially notified Lithuania of the decision made by the Director General of the Polish Environmental Protection Authority regarding the construction and operation of Poland's inaugural nuclear power plant project. This decision follows a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of the proposed economic activity, outlining the environmental conditions that must be adhered to for the successful execution of the project.
The nuclear power plant, anticipated to boast a capacity of up to 3750 MWe, is set to be erected in the Lubiatowo-Kopalin area, situated along the Baltic Sea and approximately 200 km from Lithuania. The project envisions three Westinghouse Electric Company LLC AP1000 nuclear reactors housed in three nuclear power units, featuring an open cooling system utilizing seawater.
The planned economic activity falls under Annex 1 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe's Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention), indicating its potential to induce significant adverse transboundary effects.
The decision to initiate a transboundary environmental impact assessment procedure for Poland's inaugural nuclear power plant project was made in 2015 and communicated to foreign countries, including Lithuania. In response, Lithuania expressed its intent to partake in the transboundary EIA procedure in 2016 and reaffirmed this commitment in early 2022.
As the designated authority responsible for transboundary consultations on the EIA, the Ministry of the Environment engaged in ongoing consultations with relevant Lithuanian authorities throughout the process. Furthermore, it facilitated opportunities for the Lithuanian public to provide feedback on the project and the EIA. The consolidated proposals from Lithuanian authorities and the public were then communicated to Poland.
Upon Poland addressing all inquiries raised by Lithuania, the Ministry conveyed Lithuania's stance to Poland, indicating that no further transboundary environmental impact assessment procedures were deemed necessary.