Rolls-Royce signs nuclear power agreement with Poles

Rolls-Royce has signed an agreement with an industrial group, allowing the companies to collaborate on the deployment of small modular reactors in Poland.

Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a memorandum of intent with Industria, which has selected its technology to fulfil the zero-emission energy goals of the Central Hydrogen Cluster in Poland, and as part of their plans to produce 50,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen every year.

Poland and the wider region are seeking to decarbonise, while bolstering their energy security.

Rolls-Royce SMR offers a factory-built power solution that is perfectly sized to connect to the electricity grid or for off-grid industrial use, such as hydrogen production.

Tom Samson, chief executive at Rolls-Royce SMR, said: “This is an important step in our relationship with Industria – setting out the basis on which we’ll work together to develop joint plans for using our SMR technology in Poland to decarbonise energy intensive industry and produce clean power for generations to come.

“Poland is one of the key international markets for our factory-built nuclear power plant, which provides 470MW of clean, affordable electricity from a sustainable source.

“This partnership has enormous potential and could support thousands of high-skilled, long-term jobs in Poland and the UK – both directly and in the supply chain.”

Industria, which is wholly owned by the Polish government as part of IDA Group, is leading an effort to develop a supply chain of parts and modules for SMR production.

Szczepan Ruman, chief executive of Industria, said: “Rolls-Royce SMR is unmatched in terms of manufacturing concept and processes.

“Participation in a supply chain of parts and modules for Rolls-Royce SMR is a great opportunity for our region and for entire industry in southern Poland – which has built all the existing Polish power plants.”