By Marynia Kruk
WARSAW–Poland’s construction of its first nuclear power plant is no longer a foregone conclusion as the country pivots towards the strategic goal of boosting domestic oil and gas production, especially of shale gas, two public officials hinted Wednesday.
The Polish government decided to build a nuclear power plant that is expected to cost around $15 billion to help diversify away from coal-fired power plants. Despite personally overseeing the signing of a nuclear joint venture of a group of state-controlled companies in September, an official Wednesday said the government may still change its mind.
“Our priority is the exploration and production of hydrocarbons,” Treasury Minister Mikolaj Budzanowski said in parliament Wednesday. He added that funds the government plans to earmark for a special purpose vehicle to finance investments will be aimed at increasing domestic production.
“As for nuclear power, the final decision will be made…no earlier than 2014 or 2015,” Mr. Budzanowski added.
As recently as a year ago, Prime Minister Donald Tusk rejected a German call on Poland to cancel its nuclear plans, explaining policymakers shouldn’t “succumb to hysteria” following the nuclear accident in Japan caused by the earthquake and tsunami last year.
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