Preparation for the construction of Poland's first nuclear power plant: a 416-million-euro investment in the railway network.

Polish Railways (PKP PLK) signed a contract worth €416 million for the modernization and construction of railway infrastructure that will provide key access to the planned nuclear power plant in the north of the country 

The execution of the works has been entrusted to the company Torpol, and the completion of the entire project is expected in 2029.

The investment is strategically aimed at supporting the construction and operation of the planned Lubiatowo–Kopalino nuclear power plant in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, but at the same time opens new travel opportunities for the local population: railway access will be necessary for transporting workers and heavy materials during the various phases of construction and operation of the plant.

The investment covers two main segments, whose estimated value is PLN 1.5 billion. The first is the modernization of the Lębork–Łeba route: the 32-kilometer section will be modernized and electrified. Seven existing stations will be rebuilt and one new stop will be built, and all platforms will be adapted for passengers with reduced mobility. After modernization, train speeds will reach 120 km/h, enabling year-round passenger connections (currently they operate only seasonally).

The second segment is the construction of a new branch of the railway: near Steknica station, construction of a completely new, 30-kilometer-long electrified section will begin, which leads directly to the Lubiatowo–Kopalino nuclear power plant and the Choczewo station. Passenger trains on this route will be able to reach speeds of up to 160 km/h.

This new branch will be specially equipped to accommodate freight trains up to 750 meters in length and an axle load of 22.5 tonnes, ensuring unobstructed delivery of construction materials for the nuclear power plant.

As part of the entire project, 115 engineering structures will be built or modernized, including bridges, viaducts, and wildlife crossings.

The construction of railway infrastructure directly supports Poland's key strategic project – the first nuclear power plant, which was selected in 2021 as the site for the country’s first nuclear power plant.

The plant, for the construction of which the state-owned company Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is responsible, represents a cornerstone in Poland's energy transition, ensuring energy independence and contributing to the country’s GDP growth of almost 1% through related investments. Preparatory work is expected to begin in 2027, main construction in 2028, and the first unit is planned to be commissioned in 2035, while commercial operation is expected in 2036.

The integration of sustainable railway infrastructure with the development of nuclear energy clearly positions rail transport as a vital link in Poland's strategic energy network.