New Opportunities in Poland's Decarbonisation Energy Policy – Prospects for the Development of Small-Sized Nuclear Power (SMRs)

Abstract

Research Background

There are many indications that government policymakers and supporters of large-scale nuclear expansion in Poland have not seriously grappled with arguments critical of this direction of the country's power development. Instead, there is a mood of euphoric elation in these circles without even an attempt to reflect on why this kind of nuclear power is in a state of perennial crisis and lack of development prospects in Western countries.

The Purpose of the Chapter

The purpose of this chapter is to consider from an economic perspective the potential role of nuclear power in decarbonising the Polish power sector. It needs to answer two questions: why not develop large-scale nuclear power and why small modular reactors (SMRs) can be a better alternative for decarbonisation of the Polish power sector.

Methodology

The primary research method used in the preparation of this chapter is a critical analysis and synthesis of the literature on the subject.

Findings

A technological revolution will offer electricity customers increasingly better alternatives. Among them there is also technology of SMRs which seems to be much less risky option in terms of its compatibility with the direction of the power sector's evolution as well as cost of sectors’ decarbonisation.

Citation

Szablewski, A. (2023), "New Opportunities in Poland's Decarbonisation Energy Policy – Prospects for the Development of Small-Sized Nuclear Power (SMRs)", Bukalska, E., Kijek, T. and Sergi, B.S. (Ed.) Modeling Economic Growth in Contemporary Poland (Entrepreneurship and Global Economic Growth), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 161-174. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-654-220231011