Poland reiterates interest in new Lithuanian nuclear power plant

Poland reiterates interest in new Lithuanian nuclear power plant, but only at high capacities 17:26 09.08.2007
czwartek

Participants of the new nuclear power plant project in Lithuania approved the power plant's projected capacity at above 3,000 MW, although the final capacity will depend on the evaluation of environmental impact of the project and Poland is reiterating its interest only in a large-scale project, said Pawel Urbanski, the president of Polish power grid operator Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (PSE).

"The parties agreed to the option of more than 3,000 MW, though discussions continue," Urbanski told a press conference Thursday. "The work on the evaluation of the environmental impact needs to be done first. [...] We're interested only in a large project."

According to a Lithuanian bill on the new power plant that is supposed to replace the existing Ignalina plant, the new facility will have capacity of 1,600-3,200 MW. Latvia and Estonia have already declared an interest in the project, but Polish Economy Minister Piotr Wozniak said earlier Poland will not take part in the project if it is not guaranteed to get 1,200-1,600 MW of energy from the plant.

PSE's vice-president Henryk Baranowski said Thursday the work on the environmental impact of the new power plant is going on, with the evaluation supposed to be ready by the end of the first half of 2008.

"It will later be the subject of consultations and should be approved by the end of 2008," Baranowski said