Advocating for U.S. Businesses: Commerce Secretary Lauds Westinghouse Electric for Major Export Win to Poland

Advocating for U.S. Businesses: Commerce Secretary Lauds Westinghouse Electric for Major Export Win to Poland
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Fri, 11/18/2022 – 09:44

Export and investment promotion

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Friday, November 18, 2022

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Poland has announced that Westinghouse Electric of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, will serve as technology supplier for its new national nuclear power program—a project that will support 62,500 American jobs and further Poland’s transition to clean energy.

The selection of Westinghouse is a culmination of 12 years of U.S. advocacy efforts by the Department of Commerce alongside the Departments of State and Energy and other public and private partners. U.S. advocacy efforts involved: establishing bilateral engagements and agreements between U.S. and Poland officials to cooperate on nuclear energy; securing public and private sector funding and support on project studies; and providing Polish officials with U.S. government-backed export financing options. Through commercial diplomacy, the Commerce Department also worked closely with Polish authorities to ensure the United States was positioned to fairly compete alongside firms from France and South Korea.

“I thank the government of Poland for turning to the United States as its partner in innovative solutions to address the climate crisis and increase energy security in Central Europe. This partnership will provide immense long-term benefits to workers and businesses in both countries,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Advocating for U.S. businesses and workers is at the core of the Commerce Department’s mission and it’s a service we are proud to provide to companies of all shapes, sizes, and sectors. I congratulate Westinghouse and our other federal, state, and nongovernment economic development partners who worked for years to reach this important moment.”

Since the early 2000s, the U.S. government has supported Westinghouse’s effort to secure the deployment of AP1000 nuclear reactors in China, four of which are currently setting operational performance records with four additional units under construction. In addition, Commerce continues to assist Westinghouse as it pursues additional sales around the world, including Central and Eastern Europe, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

The construction of three Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactors in Poland will begin in 2026, with operations expected to commence in 2033. The second phase of the Poland Nuclear Power Program includes the construction of three additional reactors. If Westinghouse were again chosen by Poland, the total value of export revenue for the United States would rise to $40 billion.

Bureaus and Offices

International Trade Administration

Leadership

Gina M. Raimondo

Tags

Secretary Gina Raimondo
Clean Energy

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