Friday, 18 July 2025
The Czech Republic’s ČEZ and UK-based Rolls-Royce SMR have signed an Early Works Agreement to start site specific work for potential small modular reactors at the Temelin nuclear power plant.
Rolls-Royce SMR was selected as technology partner by ČEZ last year for the proposed installation of up to 3 GW of capacity from small modular reactors (SMRs). It also acquired a 20% stake in Rolls-Royce SMR.
The aim is to build the first SMR in the Czech Republic near the existing Temelin nuclear power plant in the mid-2030s. There are also plans being developed for their deployment at the location of current coal-fired power plants.
Tomáš Pleskač, Member of the Board of Directors and Director of the New Energy Division of ČEZ, said: “Modular reactors are a great opportunity for the Czech economy and an essential part of the ongoing energy transition. The cooperation with Rolls-Royce SMR, which we established this year, offers a unique opportunity for growth and prosperity in the field of nuclear energy, also thanks to our participation in the technology development.”
Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce SMR CEO, said: “This agreement is an important step forward in our partnership with ČEZ, demonstrating our shared ambition to move at pace to deliver reliable, clean nuclear power in the Czech Republic. We are proud to be working alongside ČEZ to deliver a programme that will bring significant industrial and economic benefits to both our nations, while helping to meet critical energy security and decarbonisation goals.”
The early works will include regulatory approvals and licensing, an environmental impact assessment and preparatory site work, as well as detailed planning and regulatory engagement.
The Rolls-Royce SMR is a 470 MWe design based on a small pressurised water reactor. It will provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years. 90% of the SMR – measuring about 16 metres by 4 metres – will be built in factory conditions, limiting on-site activity primarily to assembly of pre-fabricated, pre-tested, modules which significantly reduces project risk and has the potential to drastically shorten build schedules.
Earlier this week the Czech and UK prime ministers signed a memorandum of cooperation on nuclear energy which included expanding business and industrial collaboration between the two countries.
