OSGE commits to build training centre

OSGE and Łukasiewicz Research Network will launch the European Excellence Centre for Training and Safety of Nuclear Energy (ECKKEJ). Part of planned training centre will be a full-scale simulator of BWRX-300 reactor.

The aim of the cooperation agreement signed between OSGE and the Łukasiewicz Research Network is to undertake joint activities for the establishment in Poland the European Excellence Centre for Training and Safety of Nuclear Energy (ECKKEJ). The cooperation covers both the construction of the Centre and its further development, including support from the R&D institutes that are part of the Łukasiewicz Research Network.

– Poland needs to build an entire system for the nuclear industry, and the power plant is only one element.  The proper functioning of the system requires personnel and support from the scientific and academic circles. Poland will have to face not only the challenge of providing the whole infrastructure which is needed and financing, but above all the knowledge necessary to operate both large and small nuclear power plants. This is the main task for the European Excellence Centre for Training and Safety of Nuclear Energy. The agreement is the next step of activities undertaken together with Polish technical universities, aimed at building an area of education in the nuclear energy sector” said Dawid Jackiewicz, OSGE Vice-President.

– Łukasiewicz Research Network is ready to be part of the small nuclear reactor development programme in Poland. We have 4,500 scientists and engineers within our network, as well as modern research infrastructure. We will support Polish companies in designing new solutions, testing and implementing them. We are going to create conditions to increase as much as possible local content in the development of nuclear power in Poland and countries in the region. At the same time, we are aware that besides the deployment of the SMRs and their integration with the power and heat systems, an absolutely key task is the training and human resources development. Hence our cooperation with both ORLEN Synthos Green Energy and Poland’s best technical universities,” said Remigiusz Kopoczek, Vice President for Research at Centrum Łukasiewicz.

The Centre will enable future personnel necessary in the nuclear power industry to acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge. Part of the centre will be a full-scale simulator of the BWRX-300 reactor, as well as the whole infrastructure, including the control room and fuel pool. The centre is expected to be operational in 2027.