The Czech Republic as a leader in the development of small modular reactors thanks to the partnership of ČEZ and Rolls-Royce SMR

Small modular reactors are another necessary step to ensure energy security and self-sufficiency of the Czech Republic for future generations. After the selection of a partner for the construction of two new large nuclear units at Dukovany, the partnership between CEZ and Rolls-Royce SMR is another significant milestone in the fulfilment of the objectives of Prime Minister Petr Fiala's government.

CEZ Group will acquire a stake in the traditional British company, making it a strategic partner. This will put the Czech Republic at the forefront of the development and construction of small modular reactors. This will give the Czech industry a unique opportunity to become part of a global supply chain and participate in the construction of new nuclear power plants not only in the Czech Republic but also worldwide. In the future, small modular reactors will become an emission-free source of heat and electricity for Czech households, schools and hospitals.

"Small modular reactors are a huge opportunity for our industry and our energy sector. The strategic partnership between CEZ and Rolls-Royce SMR is the basis for the Czech Republic to be an important player in the field of modular reactors. Our goal is to be one of the most successful countries to participate in innovation, development and production on a global scale and this agreement allows us to do just that. At the same time, our goal is that the Czech Republic will be as energy self-sufficient as possible in the future and that the Czech people will be assured that there will be enough energy at affordable prices." said Prime Minister Fiala.  

"The future of our energy self-sufficiency is not only the new large nuclear units at Dukovany and Temelin, but we are also betting on the development of small modular reactors. In recent years, we have been working hard to modernise the Czech energy sector - developing renewable energy sources, modernising transmission and distribution systems, investing in energy savings and pushing through new energy legislation. Small modular reactors can play a very important role as stable sources of energy. I therefore consider it a great success that the CEZ Group has managed to negotiate the entry of Rolls-Royce SMR into the company. By having our experts involved in the actual development, production of components and construction of the first modular reactor in the UK, we will take away important know-how for the use of the technology in the Czech Republic." said the Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček.

CEZ is investing several hundred million English pounds in Rolls-Royce SMR, i.e. several billion crowns. The advantage for the Czech Republic is that Rolls-Royce SMR is still in the process of establishing its supply chain, and Czech companies have a unique opportunity to be part of its birth and participate to the maximum extent possible. Thanks to this strategic cooperation, local companies will be able to participate not only in the development and implementation of the new small modular reactor, but also in the supply of SMRs abroad. Thanks to the cooperation with the Czech Republic, Rolls-Royce's final SMR technology can meet as many requirements of Czech legislation as possible.

"Nuclear energy has a long history in the Czech Republic and we can be proud of a number of experts and companies whose know-how in this field is world-class. I am glad that nuclear energy remains a fundamental pillar of the Czech energy sector and that we can continue to develop it. This is because it is a safe and reliable source of both electricity and heat. Small modular reactors are not intended to replace large units, but to complement them. We expect the first of them at Temelín in the first half of the 1930s," said the Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of ČEZ Daniel Benes.

The Czech Republic will thus benefit from the economic advantages of the strategic partnership in terms of GDP, new jobs and the export potential of the nuclear sector. Local companies could become part of the supply chain for the construction of small modular reactors not only in the Czech Republic but also in Europe.

SMRs are innovative technologies that will be able to supply citizens and businesses not only with electricity but also with heat, so they can replace ageing coal-fired plants and help decarbonise the energy sector. Modular reactors can be mass-produced in factories and more can be concentrated in one place, one block at a time. In preparation, it makes sense to locate them on the sites of current coal-fired power stations, where SMRs can produce not only electricity but also heat for the central heat supply systems that are now being provided in these regions by retiring coal-fired power stations.

Modular reactors can be mass-produced in factories and more can be concentrated in one place, one block at a time. In their preparation, it makes sense to locate them on the sites of current coal-fired power plants, where SMRs can produce not only electricity but also heat for the central heat supply systems now being provided by the ending coal-fired power plants in these regions.

Government of the Czech Republic/ gnews - RoZ