Experts from the National Atomic Energy Agency met with residents of the Choczewo commune
18.03.2026
Experts from the National Atomic Energy Agency held their second open meeting with residents of the Choczewo commune in Słajszewo. This is the commune where the first nuclear power plant in Poland is planned to be built.
The meeting was primarily devoted to issues related to the emergency planning zones and distances that will be designated around the power plant. The topic was a response to residents' requests expressed during the first meeting held in October last year.
–The National Atomic Energy Agency, as an independent nuclear regulatory body, is responsible for compliance of the planned activities with nuclear safety and radiological protection legal requirements – said Andrzej Głowacki, President of the National Atomic Energy Agency, during the meeting.
The meeting with residents of the Choczewo commune was held in Słajszewo, located near the planned investment. PAA experts discussed issues related to the designation, purpose, and operation of emergency planning zones and distances. They emphasized that two such zones and two distances will be designated around the power plant, but this does not mean that their designation will pose any restrictions on residents' daily activities.
–These zones are intended to adequately prepare local authorities and the operator to implement potential protective measures for residents of the surrounding areas in the event of a radiation hazard. The purpose of designating these zones is to increase safety in the event of these threats, they said. It was also emphasized that the role of the nuclear regulatory authority is to provide full information within its scope of competence and to address questions and concerns raised by residents in this regard.
These representatives of the local community inquired not only about the zones , but also about matters related to radiation monitoring around the power plant and the process of issuing a construction license by the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA). The polish nuclear regulatory body will be present at all stages of this project, from construction, through commissioning, operation and decommissioning. However, before the President of the PAA issues a construction license, the agency's experts will review the project documentation submitted by the investor. They will verify its compliance with national and international regulations, guidelines, and best practices in the area of nuclear safety and radiological protection. This is a long and complex process requiring in-depth analysis of documentation ranging from dozens to even hundreds of thousands of pages. The PAA President has 24 months to issue a decision on the license, provided the documentation is complete.
–Before such a license is issued, we must first be certain that the facility will not pose a threat to people or the environment – emphasized Andrzej Głowacki.
The meeting in Słajszewo was the second of this kind, and the National Atomic Energy Agency is already planning the next one. The aim of these activities is to raise awareness of nuclear safety and radiological protection through transparent communication.
