Tuesday, 7 July 2026
One of Poland’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, Michał Sołowow, plans to invest £35 billion to develop a fleet of 14 BWRX-300 small modular reactors (SMRs) across three sites in the United Kingdom. The project, led by SGE, aims to deliver 4.2 GW of generating capacity, enough to power the equivalent of around eight million homes for more than 60 years.
The UK has actively sought to attract private investment into advanced nuclear technologies through its Advanced Nuclear Framework, which supports privately led nuclear projects while combining regulatory oversight with government-backed support mechanisms where appropriate. This approach has encouraged developers to bring forward privately financed nuclear proposals alongside public initiatives.
The contrast with Poland is notable.
Sołowow has spent several years developing SMR technology through SGE, formerly Synthos Green Energy. In Poland, however, the company’s deployment strategy became closely linked with the state through the creation of the Orlen Synthos Green Energy joint venture with Orlen.
What was initially presented as a strategic partnership later became the subject of reported disagreements over governance, project control, investment strategy and the allocation of responsibilities between the private and state-owned partners. The project also attracted scrutiny from prosecutors and state institutions, although the related proceedings were ultimately discontinued without establishing wrongdoing. These events nevertheless highlighted the challenges that can arise when large strategic investments combine private capital with state-controlled enterprises.
The experience has contributed to a broader debate about the role of private investment in strategic sectors.
Poland faces a growing need for reliable, low-emission electricity to support industrial competitiveness, data centres, advanced manufacturing and broader economic growth. Renewable energy will remain an important part of the energy mix, but continued investment in electricity grids, storage capacity and dispatchable generation will also be required. Nuclear energy, including SMRs, is widely viewed as one potential source of stable baseload power.
Small modular reactors are not a short-term solution. Projects still require regulatory approval, financing, suitable sites, public acceptance and comprehensive safety oversight before construction can begin.
The UK model illustrates that governments can encourage private investment while maintaining strong regulatory control. Rather than acting primarily as project developers, governments can establish clear regulatory frameworks, ensure rigorous safety standards and provide predictable investment conditions.
For Poland, the key policy question is how to balance strategic oversight with an investment environment that allows private capital to participate effectively. As Polish companies increasingly pursue opportunities abroad, the debate over whether domestic regulatory and institutional frameworks are sufficiently attractive for long-term private investment is likely to become increasingly important.
Source: WEI
