The partnership aims to establish the first small modular reactor at the existing Temelín nuclear power plant in the early 2030s. This initiative is expected to enable the Czech Republic to generate up to 3 gigawatts of energy, enhancing the nation’s energy mix. Furthermore, ČEZ plans to participate in other Rolls-Royce SMR projects across Europe and beyond.
With approximately 70% of the company owned by the Czech state, Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized the importance of this agreement for ensuring energy security in the Czech Republic. According to ČEZ, a plant utilizing a small modular reactor from the British company is projected to produce 470 megawatts of power for up to 60 years.
Small modular reactors are designed to generate about one-third of the electricity produced by traditional reactors. Developers argue that these smaller units can be constructed more quickly and at a lower cost than larger power reactors, and they can be scaled to meet specific local energy needs.
The Czech Republic relies on six nuclear reactors for over one-third of its electricity production. Following a decision to phase out coal for energy production by 2033 to reduce carbon emissions, the country plans to increasingly depend on nuclear energy and renewable resources.
In addition to this agreement with Rolls-Royce, ČEZ is also expected to finalize a contract with South Korea’s KHNP by March to construct at least two nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic.
