MPs have voted overwhelmingly in favour of new laws allowing for the construction of nuclear plants on Polish soil.

Today's votes in the Sejm (lower house) follow on from the selection of Zarnowiec, northern Poland, as the site of Poland's first nuclear facility, as chosen by the Ministry of Economy in March 2010.

Today's votes concerned two amendments. The first allows the operator to have greater flexibility in determining the amounts ear-marked for the fund that deals with waste management. The second removes the requirement for investors to prove that they have the entire funds at their disposal from the outset, allowing for projects to be fulfilled in stages.

In the first case, some 404 MPs voted in favour, with just two against and one abstention. Regarding the second amendment, one was against and five MPs abstained.

An international tender will be announced in July, searching for a company that can provide technical expertise in the construction of the plant at Zarnowiec.

U.S. concern Westinghouse has been reported as being amongst those keen to secure the commission.

Zarnowiec was already ear-marked for a similar project during the Communist era, but plans were shelved following the Chernobyl disaster and the subsequent collapse of the Iron Curtain in 1989. (nh)