PKP Polish Railway Lines (PKP PLK) has signed a contract for the modernisation and construction works ensuring the rail access to nuclear power plant that is planned for development in northern Poland.
The works will be carried out by Torpol under a PLN 1.77 billion (EUR 416 million) agreement financed by the state budget, with completion expected in 2029.
The investment, valued at PLN 1.5 billion (EUR 353 million), covers the modernisation of the railway route from Lębork to Łeba and the construction of a new section of line leading towards the Lubiatowo–Kopalino nuclear power plant and Choczewo. The PKP PLK project will provide essential rail transport for workers and materials during both the construction and operational phases of the power plant, while also opening new travel opportunities for residents in this part of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
A 32-km section of railway line No. 229 between Lębork and Łeba will be modernised and electrified. Seven stations and stops along the route will be rebuilt, and a new stop will be added. All platforms will be upgraded to meet the needs of passengers with reduced mobility. Once completed, passenger and freight trains will operate at speeds of up to 120 km/h.
Currently, passenger services on this route run only during the summer season, but the modernisation will enable year-round connections and greater operational flexibility for train operators.
Near Steknica station, construction will begin on a new section of line No. 230 heading towards the planned Lubiatowo–Kopalino nuclear power plant and Choczewo station. This 30-km electrified line will feature six new stations and stops, and the existing Choczewo station will be reconstructed. Passenger trains will reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, while freight trains will operate at 120 km/h. To support the delivery of materials to the power plant site, the stations will be able to handle freight trains up to 750 metres long with an axle load of 22.5 tonnes.
Across both lines, 115 engineering structures such as bridges, viaducts, underpasses, wildlife crossings, and culverts will be built or modernised. New signalling and control systems will ensure safe operations, and rail–road crossings will be improved to enhance safety where roads intersect with railway lines.
In September 2025, an agreement was also signed for renovation works on an alternative route to the nuclear power plant, covering the section of line No. 229 between Kartuzy and Lębork. The third stage of the project will involve modernising line No. 230 between Wejherowo and Choczewo. The contractor for this stage will be selected in the second quarter of 2026, and all works are scheduled for completion in 2029.
The planned nuclear power plant
The completion of the project will ensure rail access to nuclear power plant, which holds strategic significance for Poland’s energy security. The facility, situated on the Baltic coast in northern Poland, was chosen in 2021 as the site for the country’s first nuclear power station. The state-owned company Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is responsible for its construction within the Choczewo municipality in Pomerania. The power plant represents a cornerstone in Poland’s energy transition, enhancing energy independence and stimulating national economic growth. It is projected that the plant will supply electricity to more than 12 million households, contributing nearly 1% to Poland’s GDP growth through related nuclear investments.
The project is being developed in cooperation with a consortium of Westinghouse and Bechtel. Early works are set to begin in 2027, with major construction starting in 2028, and Unit 1 planned for completion, testing, and commissioning in 2035. The plant is expected to begin commercial operation in 2036.
As the project progresses, the integration of sustainable rail infrastructure with the development of nuclear energy marks a decisive step in Poland’s path towards a low-carbon, interconnected, and energy-secure future, positioning rail transport as a vital link in the nation’s strategic energy network.
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