The first of Poland's two planned power plants is due to come online in 2020 Shutterstock

As public support for nuclear energy dwindles in Europe and economic uncertainty abounds, Poland’s plans to build the country’s first nuclear power plant remain unchanged.

Six months after Japan’s nuclear disaster, General Commissioner for Nuclear Energy Hanna Trojanowska says Poland needs nuclear energy to remain competitive.

“We uphold our decision about the necessity of carrying on with this project because of the long-term energy security, electricity production economics as well as the need to maintain the Polish economy’s competitiveness,” Ms Trojanowska told Reuters.

A poll by Poland’s Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS) showed that in April, a month after Japan’s nuclear disaster, 53 percent of Poles were against the idea of building nuclear plants in their country, compared to 39 percent in September 2010.

The gloomy economic prospects in Europe have dampened enthusiasm for the estimated €18-21 billion project, admitted Ms Trojanowska. But the government is sticking to its date of 2020, she added.

Poland’s PGE, the main domestic investor, is expected to launch a tender for selecting the firm which will supply nuclear technology for the two 3,000 MW plants this week. The process should be completed by mid-2013.

Firms under consideration are French companies Areva and EDF, GE Hitachi, and Toshiba’s US-based unit Westinghouse.