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French energy giant EDF has reiterated its interest in partnering up with Polish state-controlled utility PGE in the Polish nuclear power program, said Dominique Lagarde, director of EDF's nuclear engineering division, Parkiet reported.

Poland plans to build two nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of 6,000 megawatts. The first is due to come online by 2023, with PGE charged by the government with overseeing the project.

Mr Lagarde stressed that if the two companies teamed up, the Polish partner would need to take full responsibility before society and the government for the nuclear power plant in terms of operations and safety. Otherwise, he said, it will be difficult for the state to manage its national nuclear program.

PGE recently invited all potential partners for talks on the current assumptions for the project. The Polish operator wants to launch an integrated bidding procedure in 2013, which it would use to select the strategic partner and technology supplier.

The cost of the first nuclear power plant is estimated at zł.35 billion to zł.55 billion.

Poland A.M.