Leszek Juchniewicz has been dismissed from his position as CEO and board member of Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ), the state-owned Polish nuclear power company announced Monday. Piotr Piela has been appointed as acting CEO, effective from March 11, 2025.
Juchniewicz’s removal was decided at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on March 10. The management board currently comprises Vice Presidents Piotr Piela and Tomasz Szubiela.
PEJ, entirely owned by the Polish State Treasury, is responsible for Poland’s ambitious nuclear power program, notably the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant at Lubiatowo-Kopalino in the Pomeranian region. The plant, planned with a capacity of up to 3750 MW, recently secured critical environmental and governmental approvals. PEJ has also signed a design contract with the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium.
The Polish government recently submitted a proposal to the European Commission to authorize state aid, including a capital injection of PLN 60 billion and a contract-for-difference mechanism. According to official plans, construction of the first reactor is set to begin in 2028, with commercial operation anticipated in 2036. Next year, the government aims to finalize the location for a second nuclear plant.
The dismissal of Juchniewicz comes at a pivotal time as Poland strives to advance its nuclear energy program, aimed at enhancing energy security and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.