ŁUKASIEWICZ RESEARCH NETWORK AND OSGE TO ESTABLISH NUCLEAR ENERGY TRAINING CENTER

The Łukasiewicz Research Network and ORLEN Synthos Green Energy have launched a collaboration to develop competencies for the construction of small modular reactors (SMRs) in Poland. The signing ceremony took place last Friday and began with opening remarks by Marcin Kulasek, the Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education.

The Łukasiewicz Research Network and ORLEN Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) have signed a broad cooperation agreement to advance nuclear energy development in Poland. This includes the establishment and joint operation of a nuclear energy training center, among other things. The agreement was signed at the Łukasiewicz–Electrotechnical Institute in Warsaw’s Wawer district, where the facility is planned to be located.

The ceremony was opened by the Minister of Science and Higher Education, Dr. Eng. Marcin Kulasek. He highlighted that OSGE is the most promising company for developing SMR technology in Poland.

“If we want to think seriously about the future, we must develop future technologies, and that is precisely what the small modular reactor sector represents. I am convinced that the cooperation between OSGE, the company engaged in nuclear energy development in Poland, and the Łukasiewicz Research Network is a significant step toward ensuring Poland’s energy security in the decades to come” – emphasized Minister Marcin Kulasek.

The nuclear energy training center will support the development of personnel to safely operate a fleet of BWRX-300 reactors, which OSGE plans to build. The facility will also serve as a hub for information, training, and educational programs. Its business activities will address the needs of Polish entities and the European market.

The cooperation between Łukasiewicz and OSGE will be comprehensive, encompassing R&D work and the commercialization of technologies related to small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). OSGE is implementing a program to build BWRX-300 reactors designed by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. SMRs will play a pivotal role in Poland’s energy transition by filling the gap in low-emission, stable energy production that will be left by the closure of coal-fired power plants in the 2030s and 2040s.

“Building a fleet of BWRX-300 reactors in Poland is an unprecedented undertaking,” emphasizes Bartosz Fijałkowski, Vice President of ORLEN Synthos Green Energy. “This process requires the highest technological and safety standards, as well as competent personnel. Therefore, the involvement and support of the Łukasiewicz Network institutes are of great importance to us. Their research experience, expert resources, and educational capabilities will form the foundation on which we will jointly develop highly qualified personnel for Poland’s new energy sector,” assesses the OSGE Vice President.

“We see this partnership as a real opportunity to train specialists, validate and certify technologies in line with international safety standards, and create innovations that will strengthen the Polish economy. Together, we aim to develop a sustainable ecosystem of competencies that will facilitate the effective and responsible execution of our nuclear program and promote the country’s energy transition,” Mr. Fijałkowski added.

The cooperation will include constructing and equipping the training center. To this end, the Łukasiewicz Research Network will provide specialized scientific and technical personnel from its 22 affiliated institutes. These institutes have laboratories and research infrastructure, as well as the essential competencies for nuclear energy. The Łukasiewicz–Electrotechnical Institute, where the training center is planned to be located, has contributed to electrification and energy security projects for 80 years.

“Our partnership covers seven areas,” says Dr. Hubert Cichocki, president of the Łukasiewicz Center. “This includes the construction of a training center and an SMR reactor simulator, as well as R&D work focused on commercialization, and the qualification and certification of infrastructure.”

“This approach enables us to leverage the full potential of all 22 Łukasiewicz Research Network institutes. Not only can we train future personnel and develop innovations, but we can also strengthen national energy security based on the knowledge of the best scientists and engineers. Our goal is to establish modern nuclear energy in Poland, which is not limited to SMRs. For the Network’s institutes, this is an opportunity to develop new competencies critical for the energy transition,” emphasized Dr. Cichocki.

“We must utilize existing infrastructure to carry out an effective energy transition. That is why I am pleased that we can offer our business partner the expertise of our scientists and engineers, as well as sites at the Łukasiewicz Research Network—Institute of Energy Economics (IEL) that are ready for such a project. Together with the MARIA research reactor in Świerk, these sites will create a local innovation ecosystem,” adds the president of Łukasiewicz.

The Łukasiewicz-OSGE partnership, designated in 2025 as one of the four strategic directions of the Łukasiewicz Research Network, particularly supports Poland’s energy transition.

Łukasiewicz Research Network

The Łukasiewicz Research Network is an organization comprised of 22 research and implementation institutes. Its mission is to provide businesses with innovative solutions that enhance the competitiveness of the Polish economy. The Łukasiewicz institutes and their branches, including the Łukasiewicz–Electrotechnical Institute, where the ceremony is taking place, employ approximately 7,000 people across more than 50 locations throughout the country.
There are four key areas of research on which Łukasiewicz’s potential is focused: national defense and security, chemistry for industry, energy transition, and the circular economy.

About OSGE

ORLEN Synthos Green Energy (OSGE), established by ORLEN S.A. and Synthos Green Energy S.A., plays a leading role in deploying modular nuclear reactors in Poland. The company aims to contribute to the effective decarbonization of power generation, heating, and industrial sectors. OSGE’s mission is to build a fleet of BWRX-300 reactors, designed by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. These reactors will be an important part of the country’s energy mix, providing stable, zero-carbon electricity to households and industries.  For more information, visit www.osge.com or follow us on the X (Twitter) platform @ORLEN_Synthos or on LinkedIn.

Media contact:

Łukasiewicz Research Network
+48 660 409 069
media@lukasiewicz.gov.pl

OSGE
Mariusz Ilnicki
+48 668 48 36 73
mariusz.ilnicki@osge.com