US nuclear engineering firm Westinghouse says that an agreement it has signed with Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) could help Poland to meet its energy and economic goals.

The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on delivering Westinghouse’s AP1000 nuclear reactor to Poland. Their venture will kick off with a joint feasibility study on building new Westinghouse-designed nuclear power plants in the country.

Poland unveiled plans for the development of new nuclear power plants in 2009 and in March 2010 announced the results of a survey to select potential sites for new reactors. PGE – the largest power company in Poland – has said it wants to build two nuclear power plants of 3000 MW each.

The AP1000 is the only Generation III+ reactor to have received certification from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Westinghouse says that the agreement with PGE is an important step in creating a solution to Poland’s energy issues.

“We welcome the opportunity to partner with PGE in supporting Poland’s nuclear energy program, and look forward to collaborating on meeting their economic and energy priorities,” said Bob Pearce, Director, International Project Development at Westinghouse. “With Poland’s need to reduce its carbon footprint by 2020, nuclear energy and the AP1000 PWR are the right solutions for providing reliable baseload electricity that is sensitive to the needs of the environment.”

Construction projects would also bring economic benefits to Poland through the localization of supply, says Westinghouse.