The US Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a a regional Clean Energy Training Centre in Warsaw, Poland to serve Poland and the broader Central European region as a training hub for countries considering new or expanded nuclear reactor deployment. It builds on previous international agreements to expand global nuclear energy capacity and combat the climate crisis.
The first training session was launched at Warsaw Technical University in cooperation with Poland’s Ministry of Climate & Environment and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Poland plans to begin building three Westinghouse AP1000 reactors by 2030 to reduce dependence on coal-fired power plants and strengthen energy security.
“This centre symbolises a commitment between the United States and Poland that extends far beyond a commercial relationship,” said Dr Michael Goff, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy. “This catalytic milestone will help ensure Poland has the training and resources it needs to buildout its first nuclear power plant.”
Miłosz Motyka, Poland’s Undersecretary of State and Ministry of Climate & Environment said nuclear energy is an important element of Poland's energy transition. “The implementation of the largest investment in the history of the Polish power system together with our US partners is an expression of the Polish-American strategic alliance. Cooperation with the United States will bring Poland closer to achieving climate neutrality and comprehensive modernisation of the Polish energy sector."
DOE also plans to launch regional Clean Energy Training Centres in Ghana and the United Arab Emirates. It is also requesting an additional $8m in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget to establish more training centres over the coming years to support workforce development, training, and knowledge sharing with new and emerging nuclear energy countries in Africa, Asia, and Central Europe.
Image: The USA and Poland launch first regional Clean Energy Training Center in Warsaw, Poland (courtesy of US DOE Office of Nuclear Energy)
