Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) – a company of PKN Orlen and the Synthos Group – and the Łukasiewicz Research Network have signed a cooperation agreement, the purpose of which is to take joint actions to establish the European Center for Personnel Training for Nuclear Energy (ECKKEJ), PKN Orlen reported.
The cooperation includes both the launch of the Center itself and its further development, including through support from research and development institutes that are part of the Łukasiewicz Research Network.
“The Polish economy must follow current trends. The driving force behind these changes has been the Orlen Group. That is why we invest billions of zlotys in low- and zero-emission energy sources. Together with Orlen Synthos Green Energy, we plan to build a fleet of small modular nuclear reactors. Research shows that Poles perfectly understand the need to invest in a small atom. However, in order to successfully carry out this process, we must ensure that we have adequate human resources available today. This is how the initiative to build the European Personnel Training Center for Nuclear Energy was born, which, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science, will allow for the dynamic development of this branch of energy in Poland. It is also another important step in strengthening the Polish economy and national energy security,” said Daniel Obajtek, President of PKN Orlen, quoted in the release.
ECKKEJ will enable future nuclear energy personnel to acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge. The center will house a full-scale BWRX-300 reactor simulator, i.e. one that will be used in nuclear units built by the Orlen Group in Poland. Auxiliary infrastructure will also be mapped for training purposes, e.g. control room for SMRs or a fuel pool. In addition, the center will be equipped with specialist equipment necessary to train future nuclear specialists and a training space with lecture halls and an educational section. The center (ECKKEJ) is to be launched in 2027, according to the material.
More than 100 highly qualified specialists will be needed to operate one SMR. By 2030, the Orlen Group plans to have 1-2 reactors in Poland and a very large potential for the development of further units in the coming years.
Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) is a company established by PKN Orlen and Synthos Green Energy. The company wants to play a leading role in the implementation of modular nuclear reactors in Poland.
The Synthos capital group is a leading producer of chemical raw materials in Poland and Europe. It was listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange from 2004 to April 2018.
The PKN Orlen Group manages refineries in Poland, the Czech Republic and Lithuania, conducts retail operations in Central Europe, mining operations in Poland, Norway, Canada and Pakistan, as well as energy production, including renewable energy sources, and natural gas distribution. As part of building a multi-energy concern, the company finalized the acquisitions of Energa, Grupa Lotos and PGNiG. Its consolidated sales revenues reached PLN 278.5 billion in 2022. The company has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange since 1999.