The Polish ministry of climate and the environment has submitted for consultation an amendment (Polish only) to a special act on investment in nuclear power facilities, a move which could speed up the country’s first commercial nuclear project by 18 months.

The ministry said in a statement that the draft amendment, which must now undergo ministerial and public consultations, is designed to streamline administrative procedures around licensing, increase state supervision over nuclear investment, and build up the independence of the national regulator.

The statement said improvements are expected at all stages of the investment process related to the construction of nuclear power plants in Poland, including site selection, preparatory works, construction, and commissioning.