Legal aspects of small modular reactors in Polish nuclear law

Abstract

There is currently urgent need for polish companies to implement new decarbonisation strategies, and introducing nuclear energy might become an essential part of the equation. Small modular reactors, which will be commercially operational in the 2030s might be of particular interest, as they can provide clean, zero-emissional energy. The aim of this paper is to find the answer to question of whether small modular reactors could become an important part of the future energy mix in Polish industry. The analysis was conducted using the legal comparative method. In the course of his analysis the author concludes that small nuclear reactors could indeed be implemented in Poland. In the closing part of this paper author proposes legal and legislative actions to adapt the existing domestic nuclear law to the specificity of small modular reactors, and includes a comprehensive indication of the main directions of activities of the Polish government aimed at the development of small modular reactors.