The head of the province of Pomerania in northern Poland has issued a permit for preparatory works to begin for the construction of the country’s first commercial nuclear power station.

The permit covers the first stage of activities at the site and includes the staking out of various areas, fencing, removal of vegetation, land development and levelling.

The permit was issued to Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe (PEJ), the state company overseeing the project to build three Westinghouse-supplied AP1000 reactor units. PEJ said work will begin later this autumn.