ARP report: local accommodation capacity requires upgrades to support Poland’s first nuclear power plant project

A new study commissioned by Polish Nuclear Power Plants (PEJ) indicates that the accommodation market in northern Poland has significant potential to support the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site. However, substantial upgrades will be required to transform the region’s predominantly seasonal tourism infrastructure into a year-round housing base capable of serving thousands of workers during the project’s peak construction phases.

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18 june 2026   |   23:39   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. ARP

Comprehensive review of regional accommodation capacity

The report, prepared by the Pomerania Development Agency (ARP), assessed accommodation facilities and supporting services across the counties of Lębork, Wejherowo and Puck, which will form the immediate hinterland of the future nuclear project.

The survey, conducted between January and March 2026, attracted considerable interest from local businesses. A total of 843 accommodation facilities were registered, representing nearly 41,700 beds. Following a detailed screening process and 323 on-site inspections, ARP identified 233 facilities offering approximately 9,300 beds that could potentially serve the nuclear project after appropriate modernization and adaptation.

The assessment covered not only accommodation standards but also transport accessibility, local service availability and the ability of facilities to operate throughout the year.

According to the report, the main challenge lies in the seasonal nature of the region’s hospitality sector. Most facilities were designed to accommodate short-term summer tourism rather than long-term industrial workforce requirements.

Local businesses signal readiness to participate

The strong response from accommodation providers reflects growing awareness of the economic opportunities associated with Poland’s largest energy infrastructure project.

- The collected data provides an important basis for assessing both future accommodation demand and the region’s ability to meet it, said Michał Olszewski, Vice President of Polish Nuclear Power Plants.

The report also identified planned private accommodation developments whose owners expressed interest in supporting the nuclear project, suggesting that additional capacity could emerge in parallel with construction activities.

The findings further demonstrate the willingness of local entrepreneurs to engage in the supply chain of one of the most significant infrastructure projects currently underway in Central Europe. For many businesses operating in the hospitality sector, the project represents an opportunity to move beyond a tourism-based operating model and secure stable, long-term revenues.

Three accommodation models evaluated

ARP analysed three potential models for workforce accommodation during the construction phase.

The first scenario relies primarily on existing and planned market-based accommodation facilities. While this option would maximize the use of regional resources, it may prove insufficient during periods of peak workforce demand.

The second option, recommended by ARP experts, combines local accommodation resources with supplementary modular housing units. This mixed approach would allow investors to benefit from existing regional capacity while ensuring sufficient flexibility to respond to changing workforce requirements throughout the project lifecycle.

The third scenario envisages the development of dedicated private worker settlements built specifically for the nuclear project.

According to the report’s authors, the mixed model offers the best balance between accommodation capacity, implementation speed, quality standards and operational flexibility required during successive construction stages.

- Local businesses, accommodation providers, transport services and support infrastructure should remain at the core of the system. Modular facilities are intended to complement, not replace, regional capacity during peak demand periods, said Tomasz Grabowski, Head of Data Analytics at ARP and author of the report.

Local content strategy gains further momentum

The findings align closely with PEJ’s broader local content strategy, which aims to maximize participation by Polish and regional businesses in the delivery of the country’s first nuclear power project.

Beyond accommodation services, the report highlights opportunities for local suppliers operating in transport, catering, retail, maintenance, logistics and facility management sectors. The expected influx of workers and contractors is likely to generate demand across a wide range of supporting industries.

For regional SMEs, the project represents one of the largest business development opportunities in decades, providing access to long-term contracts and a stable customer base extending well beyond the traditional tourist season.

The report also underscores the importance of cooperation between investors, local authorities and businesses to ensure that the economic benefits generated by the project remain within the region.

Long-term economic benefits for coastal communities

One of the report’s most significant conclusions concerns the potential transformation of the local economy.

For decades, many coastal municipalities in the region have struggled with pronounced seasonality, generating the majority of their revenues during the summer months. The sustained presence of construction workers and contractors over several years could create stable year-round demand for housing, food services, retail and recreational facilities.

Particular benefits are expected in the municipality of Choczewo and neighbouring communities, which will serve as the primary support area for the nuclear construction site. Increased economic activity could stimulate further investment in commercial services, transport infrastructure and community facilities.

According to ARP, this shift could help diversify local revenue streams, reduce dependence on tourism and strengthen the long-term resilience of the regional economy. It may also encourage the development of new business models better suited to year-round operations.

Strategic input for future planning

The accommodation study is expected to play an important role in PEJ’s ongoing planning process as the company prepares for the construction phase of Poland’s first nuclear power plant.

Beyond quantifying available accommodation resources, the report provides a roadmap for integrating local infrastructure and businesses into one of the largest industrial projects ever undertaken in Poland. It also offers a detailed picture of the investments and upgrades required to meet the standards expected for a major international infrastructure programme.

The high level of engagement from regional entrepreneurs suggests that local stakeholders are already positioning themselves to participate in what is expected to become a multi-billion-euro investment and a major driver of economic development in northern Poland for more than a decade.

As PEJ continues preparations for the project, the report is likely to serve as a key reference document in shaping accommodation, logistics and local supply-chain strategies for the years ahead.

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