July 25, 2025
🏭 Poland, long reliant on coal, is making a decisive turn. In 2024, over 62% of electricity still came from burning lignite and hard coal. But now, a different path is emerging, one where nuclear takes centre stage, and coal plants are given a second life.
The Polish government recently published a draft update of its national nuclear strategy (PPEJ) for public consultation. This marks a turning point: for the first time it is endorsing Coal-to-Nuclear (C2N): repowering existing coal sites with zero-emission nuclear energy. The DEsire - Platforma Transformacji Energetyki project feature in section ‘1.3.3 Location’.
They get a full page of coverage!
“One of the locations where system power plants fired with hard coal or brown coal are currently operating should be indicated for the location of the 2nd Nuclear Power Plant … as well as potential subsequent investments.”
For us at Repower Initiative, this is more than policy recognition. It’s the culmination of years of technical collaboration and advocacy alongside the incredible DEsire team, led by Dr. Łukasz Bartela.
In addition, the DEsire team in collaboration with Repower have written a peer-reviewed report on classifying 23 Polish coal-fired power system sites for potential nuclear repowering, which is published today:
“Assessment of sites for coal-to-nuclear transition in Poland”
The report indicates that Kozienice, Połaniec, Dolna Odra, and Opole are the most promising sites for C2N conversion, based on factors including high power capacity, distance from coal mines, low local population density, and proximity to major rivers necessary for cooling.
Our heartfelt congratulations go to Łukasz Bartela, Staffan Qvist, Dorota Homa, Paweł Gładysz, Jakub Ochmann and the entire DEsire team for their amazing accomplishments in doing the foundational research, and advancing this innovative C2N pathway at the highest levels in Poland.
These people have helped make C2N politically viable, proving it’s not just an idea, but a pathway grounded in Poland’s reality: keeping local jobs, reusing existing infrastructure, and establishing energy independence.
The draft PPEJ now suggests that the second nuclear power plant be built on a current coal site, and thanks to DEsire, Poland knows where to look!
At Repower, we are proud to support DEsire’s work and celebrate this shift as a milestone in the fight for a just and smart transition. From fossil legacy to firm clean energy, Poland is showing the world how repowering can work.
This is how transformation begins.
One coal site at a time.
One decision at a time.
If you would like more information on our project, please email us or get in touch using our LinkedIn page.
