Scientists, entrepreneurs, local government members and representatives of companies dealing with nuclear power took part in an international conference aimed at promoting the Polish nuclear power program in our province and in other localizations in West Pomerania. Apart from other things, the participants talked about the benefits that could be derived from erecting a nuclear power plant in our region.

Szczecinbiznes.pl: How much money will be earned if the decision on erecting a power plant in zachodniopomorskie province is issued and who will make the most of it?

Prof. Mariusz Dąbrowski: We will all profit from that decision, primarily thanks to the tax proceeds. If we consider the real property tax alone, the proceeds may be within the range of the budget currently allocated annually to the municipality in which the investment will be located. In addition, there is the cash derived from PIT, CIT, etc. All these funds will be divided among three municipalities: the principal municipality in the area of which the power plant will be located and the neighbouring ones. Some funds will also go to the county and the province.

How about the local entrepreneurs?

This is yet another group that can reap considerable profits from the investment. Certain real-life examples were discussed during the conference and they show that such a project entails lots of work for local companies that cooperate with the principal investor that supplies technology and erects the plant. In addition, other firms will draw benefits as well. The example of a small town in Finland is a case in point here – all of a sudden five thousand people came to the town, they all needed a place to stay, somewhere to eat, to do shopping and spend time after work. This meant large income for all service providers. If we take into account that the investment budget equals approximately PLN 20 million, we can only imagine how great the profits will be. The same thing goes for the power plant income that may reach the total of PLN 1 - 3 billion a year – even as much as a few hundred million of that amount will be left in the region as earnings of local firms.

Which industries are most likely to be able to enter the investment?

The possibilities are virtually unlimited. Building construction companies, for instance those that deal with metal constructions, are sure to find employment first. But even seemingly the most remote sectors, such as paint producers, may use the investment to their advantage, because obviously, the whole construction will need to be painted.

How can we make sure that the investors will be willing to cooperate with companies located in our region?

That is precisely the reason why we arrange such conferences and meetings. The potential technology suppliers that participate in the conference may treat it as an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the skills and services offered by our regional companies. Admittedly, initiating cooperation is not altogether easy and it requires fulfilling certain procedures. Nonetheless, our objective is to present local companies as potential sources of materials, services and human resources.

What is the percentage of local companies’ participation in similar power plant erecting projects abroad?

It depends. In some less economically developed countries, such as Turkey, construction works are fully conducted by foreign contractors, based on a licence. However, other examples may also be quoted, such as the Polish Żarnowiec nuclear power plant where 80 percent of the contractors involved in the construction were local. I cannot imagine that it could be different in our case, especially if we consider that a few hundred Poles are currently working at the construction of a nuclear power plant in Finland. The skills and competence they have acquired can be later used in Poland.

What are the odds that our province will secure that investment project? When will we know for sure?

The decision concerning the localisation of the plant will be taken by the end of the year 2013. The construction works will begin in 2016 and most probably, they will be completed in 2020. Zachodniopomorskie province has a real chance of winning, because only two provinces have access to the sea, which may prove quite important.

Interviewed by Paulina Łątka