Poland currently operates a single research reactor, Maria. It has no operational nuclear reactors for power production, but is to start construction of a plant with three Westinghouse AP1000 reactors in 2026, and is also intending to build small modular reactors. Poland operates a nuclear waste disposal site in Różan, named Krajowe Składowisko Odpadów Promieniotwórczych (National Nuclear Waste Disposal Site) since 1961, where waste from the current and past reactors is being stored, without any incidents throughout its operational history. Background Around 70% of the nation's electricity is currently produced by burning hard coal and lignite (of which Poland has the EU's largest reserves), at industrial facilities and large central generating stations such as the 5 GW Bełchatów Power Station. With the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions for environmental, climate, and economic reasons, the country continues to explore deployment of nuclear reactors for electricity generation and industrial process heat. National Nuclear Regulator Nuclear activities in Poland are regulated by the national nuclear regulator Panstwowa Agencja Atomistyki (PAA). The PAA is a modern nuclear regulator who is an active member of European and international nuclear regulatory organizations. International Relations Poland is a signatory to all major international treaties regarding nuclear energy, a member state of European Atomic Energy Community, and one of the founding member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1957. History 1980 through 2000 In the 1980s, the Zarnowiec Nuclear Power Plant was under construction, but was abandoned on 4 September 1990. 2000 through 2020 A 2006 feasibility study suggested it optimal to build an 11.5 GWe capacity nuclear power plant. However, this proving unaffordable in the immediate future, Poland decided to build a 4.5 GWe nuclear power plant by 2030. In 2007, a draft energy policy proposed a 10 GWe nuclear capacity by 2030 to provide 10% of electricity. The deadline gives an estimated ten years for investment and construction and five years of public campaigning. In July 2006, Poland joined Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia to build a new nuclear power plant in Lithuania to replace the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant being shut down due to pressure from the EU. Poland would invest 22% with these other countries into the project, the Visaginas NPP main site would have been under principal construction by early 2016 with necessary prerequisite planning, financing, regulatory agency approval and logistical ground work in terms of infrastructure modernization and expansion finished