For the second time, Gdańsk became the Polish capital of nuclear energy - local government, scientists, entrepreneurs and the media met during a conference devoted to nuclear energy. The programme focused on utilising regional capital in the development of nuclear energy, emphasising the role of local content in nuclear projects, i.e. maximising benefits for local communities and economies. And for good reason, because the first nuclear power plant is to be built in Pomerania.
‘Regulations and contracts for the construction of a nuclear power plant alone are no longer enough. Today, we need qualified staff and a local supply chain. Today, we are no longer asking whether nuclear power will be built in Poland - we know it will be built, but we need to do it wisely. And we want Poland to play a key role in the global nuclear market,’ said Sylwia Molewska, President of the Business for Climate Foundation.
Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the University of Gdańsk and Chairman of the Assembly of The Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk, also spoke about the challenges and opportunities for the region:
‘The Fahrenheit universities are ready to take on the challenges of training specialists for this energy sector. Our cooperation with industry is also of key importance, as it enables the practical application of knowledge and technology and supports innovation. Thanks to partnerships with energy companies, we can better prepare our students for future challenges and jointly shape the energy future of our region.’
In addition to the Business for Climate Foundation and the Fahrenheit Universities, the organisers also include the UN Global Compact Network Poland.
‘Nuclear energy, which the UN considers to be clean energy, can be a good replacement for coal stabilising the grid. Poland must boldly embark on this path, which will allow it to reduce energy costs and, at the same time, fulfil international obligations,’ said Kamil Wyszkowski, Executive Director of the UN GCNP. ‘We want international things to happen here in Pomerania, especially since geopolitics and international threats are conducive to this.’
Piotr Piela, acting president of Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe, talked about the progress of the power plant construction in Pomerania: ‘Currently, we are continuing geological work, the results of which will allow us to precisely design the foundation of the heart of our power plant, i.e. three AP1000 reactors, the cooling system and the power supply system. In the spring, i.e. in about a month, we intend to extend these works to the full area of the future power plant - almost 400 hectares.’
The forum referred to solutions that have already been implemented in the world, global strategies for utilising the capital of regions, but also the benefits of local investments. And so in the discussion on the new era of district heating or the long-term vision of investing in nuclear power, the moderator was dr inż. Marcin Jaskólski, the Rector's plenipotentiary for nuclear energy at the Gdańsk University of Technology.
In the panel dedicated to the training of personnel for the development of the nuclear industry, which was particularly close to the academic community, in addition to Dr inż. Marcin Jaskólski, dr hab. Dagmara Strumińska-Parulska, prof. UG. also spoke. On the second day of the conference, the representative of the University of Gdańsk also participated in a discussion focused on issues of social acceptance and communication. Dr hab. Sylwia Mrozowska, prof. UG, director of the Centre for Sustainable Development at the University of Gdańsk, also spoke on the panel on dialogue on behalf of the University of Gdańsk.
Read more about the event on the website: Experts on the atom. The Baltic Nuclear Energy Forum for the second time | The Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk