Representatives of the University of Gdańsk (UG) and Bechtel Polska, the main contractor for the construction of Poland's first nuclear power plant in Lubiatowo-Kopalino in the municipality of Choczewo, have begun a series of working meetings as part of a strategic cooperation agreement. The meeting, attended by representatives of both entities, took place on July 29, 2025, at the Centre for Sustainable Development of the University of Gdańsk (CZRUG), and was aimed at developing the first joint projects resulting from the agreement signed on June 30, 2025.
The main topics of the meeting were social and communication challenges related to the first stage of the power plant's construction, including identifying the needs of local communities and developing communication and information tools.
The meeting was opened by the Vice-Rector for Development and Finance, dr hab. Paweł Antonowicz, prof. UG, the Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development at the University of Gdańsk, dr hab. Sylwia Mrozowska, prof. UG, and Leszek Hołda, President of Bechtel Polska, who said: ‘I am glad that after signing the agreement we can immediately move on to the operational phase. (...) The success of the project requires strong commitment to relations with the local community, based on respect and responsibility.’
During the meeting, the research potential of the University of Gdańsk's scientific disciplines was presented, along with the results of research conducted at the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Management and the Faculty of Chemistry, which were relevant to the theme of the meeting. Dr hab. Sylwia Mrozowska, prof. UG and dr Barbara Kijewska, prof. UG presented the results of research on the perception of nuclear technology and the social assessment of potential nuisances associated with the first stage of nuclear power plant construction and its impact on the daily lives of residents. Dr hab. Dagmara Strumińska-Parulska, prof. UG from the Laboratory of Toxicology and Radiation Protection at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, referred to the social knowledge gap regarding radiation. For example, there is a widespread misconception that radiation only occurs in connection with the operation of nuclear power plants. Dr Sebastian Susmarski from the Faculty of Management, Director of the Office of Analysis and Expertise at the University of Gdańsk, presented a model for monetising social impact as a tool for supporting dialogue with stakeholders and strategic decision-making, which includes, among other things, an analysis of social costs and benefits.
The meeting participants discussed possible projects for future cooperation, which could be aimed at both the local community and Bechtel employees in Poland and abroad.
Bechtel was represented at the meeting by: Leszek Hołda - President of Bechtel Poland, Roger Lis - Senior Project Environment, Health and Safety Manager, Maciej Dzwonnik - External Relations Expert, Krzysztof Kiełmiński - Communications Manager. The University of Gdańsk was represented by: dr hab. Paweł Antonowicz, prof. UG - Vice-Rector for Development and Finance, dr hab. Sylwia Mrozowska, prof. UG - Director of CZRUG, and academic staff of the University of Gdańsk.
