Poland will have two nuclear power plants in about 10 years’ time, the deputy prime minister told Polsat News yesterday.

Jacek Sasin was in South Korea to witness the signing of a letter of intent between Polish and Korean companies to build one nuclear facility near Pątnów, about 230 kilometres southwest of Warsaw.

This comes after Friday’s announcement that Poland has chosen US company Westinghouse to build its first nuclear power plant near to Choczewo on the Baltic coast.

The nuclear programme is part of Poland’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions, and increase energy security.

Polish companies PGE and ZE PAK will cooperate with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power on a development plan for the Pątnów project, with the aim of signing a building contract next year.

Source: PAP, AP

Poland was one of five EU countries where electricity prices fell during the first half of 2022, according to data released yesterday.

The figures from the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), showed a drop of three percent in Poland’s electricity costs compared with the first half of 2021.

The Netherlands had the biggest fall among EU countries, with a price drop of 54 percent, while in Slovenia prices came down by 16 percent.

In all three countries the reductions are due to subsidies and government support.

On the other hand, the Czech Republic, Latvia and Denmark all saw increases of around 60 percent in electricity prices.

Source: polskieradio24.pl

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has expressed his condolences to the Indian Prime Minister after a bridge collapse in the state of Gujarat left at least 141 people dead.

The footbridge over the Makchu River in the city of Morbi was crowded with people because of the Diwali festival, which is taking place all over India.

Local authorities said over 400 people were on the bridge when it came down.

The 230-metre long structure was built in the 19th century during colonial times and had recently been closed for six months for renovations.

Prime Minister Morawiecki wrote on Twitter that the Polish government, “mourn[s] the victims [and is] united in pain with their families and all the inhabitants of India.”

The death toll is expected to rise as a search of the river continues.

Source: polskieradio24.pl

It’s All Saints’ Day and across Poland people are following the annual tradition of visiting the graves of their loved ones, where they place lanterns and flowers.

In Gdańsk the authorities are encouraging people to reduce the waste generated by this occasion, by donating old and undamaged lanterns for reuse by others.

Special stands for lantern donation have been installed at several cemeteries, including Łostowice and the Srebrzysko central cemetery.

The Road and Greenery Authority is also suggesting using cut flowers or pot plants instead of artificial flowers, which take a long time to decompose.

Source: radiogdansk.pl

New tennis rankings confirm Iga Świątek’s dominant position as world number one, giving her more than twice as many points as her next rival.

The Polish woman has over ten thousand points, compared to just over four and half thousand earned by Ons Jabeur of Tunisia.

Jessica Pegula of the USA makes third place on the list.

Świątek will play her first match in the WTA world finals in Fort Worth, Texas late this evening European time.

Source: PAP

Weather

Today will stay cloudy and dry in Gdańsk with the temperature climbing to 16°C (60°F). Winds will be light. Tonight will be mild with the temperature settling around 12°C (53°F), while tomorrow will again be dry and cloudy, with the prospect of some sunny spells in the afternoon.

Andrew Carter/jk