PARTNER CONTENT The Ministry of Climate and Environment has issued a key decision for KGHM concerning the construction of a Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (SMR) in Poland. This marks the copper giant's official state approval for the planned investment, aligning with the company's presented assumptions and concept. The key decision is the first administrative permit in the nuclear energy project approval system in Poland that an investor can apply for. Its attainment authorizes KGHM to pursue a series of subsequent administrative determinations, such as a location decision or a construction permit. “Our goal is safe, ecological, and stable-priced energy, which will allow us to maintain KGHM’s global business advantage. In our engagement with nuclear energy, we have strong support from the Ministry of State Assets, and now the acceptance from the Ministry of Climate and Environment. This is important because the introduction of nuclear technology, based on small modules, in our country also supports the energy transformation of the Polish economy,” said Tomasz Zdzikot, President of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. In 2022, KGHM signed a preliminary work agreement with the American company NuScale Power, LLC (a nuclear technology supplier), which was the first step in the process of implementing SMR technology within the copper company’s business operations. The Ministry of Climate and Environment’s decision is a general opinion regarding selected conditions that will enable the construction of a 462 MW modular nuclear power plant consisting of six modules, each with a capacity of 77 MW. The application was prepared, among other things, based on the project documentation that has already received final certification in the United States. KGHM’s American partner, NuScale, as the first and to date only SMR technology supplier, has received certification for a 50 MW module from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). In January of this year, NuScale submitted an application to the NRC for certification of a 77 MW module, which it expects to receive in 2024. NuScale has also placed the first order for the production of reactor pressure vessel components, demonstrating the significant advancement of this technology supplier in its actual implementation process. In May 2023, at NuScale’s request, Doosan Enerbility Co. Ltd began producing forgings for the first VOYGR-6TM power plant with a capacity of 462 MW, which is to be built in Idaho, USA, for Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS). KGHM conducts its operations in line with the principles of sustainable development and continuously strives to ensure that its entire technological chain is safe, innovative, and compliant with the concept of a Circular Economy. KGHM's actions and commitments in these areas are outlined in the company’s Environmental Policy and Climate Policy, the overarching goal of which is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Investments that contribute to energy transformation are also crucial for the copper giant. KGHM aims to diversify its energy sources, including actively utilizing renewable energy sources. By 2030, 50% of the electricity consumed by KGHM will come from its own sources, including renewables. The Sierra Gorda mine in Chile is already 100% powered by renewable energy sources.