CEZ plans to build the first small modular reactor at the existing Temelin nuclear plant in the first half of the 2030s.
Czech power company CEZ has signed a deal with Britain's Rolls-Royce SMR to form a strategic partnership to develop and deploy small modular nuclear reactors. Under the agreement, CEZ will acquire a 20% share in Rolls-Royce SMR for which it will pay several billion Czech crowns (hundreds of millions of euros). The first small modular reactor could be ready by the first years of the next decade at the Czech company's Temelin nuclear plant.
The partnership is expected to result in up to 3 GW energy sources installed in the Czech Republic. CEZ will also participate in other projects by Rolls-Royce SMR in Europe and around the world (Euronews). The Czech state has an almost 70% stake in the company. “It’s an important moment for ensuring energy security of the Czech Republic,” Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said. A power plant using a small modular reactor by the British company should produce 470 MW for 60 years, CEZ said in a statement (AP News).
The government claims that modular reactors offer a versatile solution that provides electricity and heat to citizens and businesses. In addition, they can be sited on existing coal-fired power stations, making them suitable replacements for ageing coal-fired power stations while helping to decarbonise the energy sector.
Furthermore, the reactors can be manufactured in factories and quickly assembled on-site, giving them an advantage in flexibility and speed of deployment. Czech industry associations have welcomed the decision and see it as an opportunity for Czech companies to become directly involved in producing modular reactors.“The Czech Republic has long experience with nuclear, and local companies have excellent know-how that can be used in the development and production of modular reactors,” said Daniel Urban, director-general of the Czech Confederation of Industry, as quoted by the Czech News Agency.
ČEZ also expects to work with Rolls-Royce SMR on European construction projects, sharing knowledge and experience (Euractiv).
Sources: Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/10/29/small-nuclear-plants-in-europe-cez-and-rolls-royce-smr-sign-a-deal
AP News, https://apnews.com/article/czech-rolls-royce-modualr-nuclear-reactors-14580086ccb8b8ba44766bc6e647b9b5
Euractiv, https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/czechias-cez-and-rolls-royce-team-up-for-modular-nuclear-reactors/