OSGE joins WANO to benefit from its safety expertise in supporting operators of new and existing nuclear units worldwide

Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) is pleased to announce that the company has become a member of the World Association of Nuclear Operators  (WANO), the world’s largest membership organisation with a mission to maximise the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants and facilities worldwide (125 members that own or operate around 460 reactors). This demonstrates OSGE’s commitment to the highest safety standards of the industry and is an important part of building competence in the management and safety of its nuclear reactor operations.

WANO provides services that support member organisations in the process of implementing new nuclear projects and preparing organisations to become nuclear power plant operators. Since 2015, WANO has delivered over 160 missions to enable 60 new unit operators worlwide to start up safely and reliably.

WANO supports nuclear power plants in maximising safety and reliability and brings its members together in a global community for knowledge and  experience sharing in their journey towards excellence. “We are honoured to join the group of 125 plant owners/utilities and operators from around the world and look forward to benefiting from the organisation’s professional support and long-standing experience,” stated Rafał Kasprów, CEO of OSGE.

OSGE will be affiliated with WANO’s regional centre in Paris, which will deliver key services to support OSGE’s safe and reliable preparation, start up and continued operation of the BWRX-300 fleet in Poland. Paris centre’s expertise will be crucial as it currently supports operators of boiling water reactors (BWRs) from Spain, Switzerland and Sweden. Through WANO membership, OSGE will also be able to exchange information and benefit from the expertise of BWR operators based in the US.  

Joining WANO was approved at its Biennial General Meeting (BGM) this year held, not coincidentally, in Abu Dhabi, the UAE. His Excellency, Mohamed Al Hammadi served as President of WANO for the last two years. Al Hammadi is the CEO and President of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), which has just commissioned the fourth reactor of the Barakah power plant, thus finalising the project and the safe and successful start-up of the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world.

Dr Naoki Chigusa, WANO Chief Executive Officer, stated: “I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to OSGE as the newest member of WANO. I firmly believe that together we can maximise the safety and reliability of OSGE’s new units during construction, at start-up and through their operational life, and by doing this, support innovation through the industry. The unique expertise and perspectives that OSGE bring will be invaluable to share with our members as we exchange information and best practices as new nuclear units and technologies are introduced worldwide. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration that will benefit OSGE, WANO and our global community of operators.”

OSGE is the first Polish company to become a WANO member. It plans to build a fleet of BWRX-300 SMRs in Poland. In May 2023, the company received a positive general opinion – a non-mandatory pre-licensing instrument – from the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA) on technical aspects of the BWRX-300 technology. In December 2023, Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment issued decisions-in-principle for the construction of power plants based on the BWRX-300 at six locations. In February 2024 the General Director of Environmental Protection (GDOŚ) issued a decision specifying the scope of the environmental report for the construction of a small modular reactor (SMR) in Stawy Monowskie, Małopolska region. This is the first such decision in the European Union.

About OSGE
ORLEN Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) was established by ORLEN S.A. and Synthos Green Energy S.A. The company plays a leading role in the deployment of modular nuclear reactors in Poland, aiming to contribute to the effective decarbonisation of the power generation, heating and industrial sectors. OSGE’s mission is to build a fleet of BWRX-300 reactors designed by GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, which will become an important part of the country’s energy mix, providing households and industry with stable zero-carbon electricity. For more information, visit www.osge.com and X (Twitter) platform @ORLEN_Synthos and LinkedIn.

About WANO
The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) is a not-for-profit international organisation that helps its members maximise the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants worldwide. WANO was established in 1989 by the world’s nuclear power operators to exchange safety knowledge and operating experience amongst organisations operating commercial nuclear power reactors. WANO’s members operate some 460 nuclear units in over 30 countries and areas worldwide. WANO works with its membership to assess, benchmark and improve performance through mutual support, exchange of information and emulation of best practices. For more information, please visit: www.wano.info

Media contact:

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