The competition to supply the Czech Republic with small modular reactors (SMRs) is reaching a critical phase. CEZ is expected to select a provider by the end of this year. Three companies—GE Hitachi, Westinghouse, and Rolls-Royce—are in the running, but GE Hitachi has emerged as the most prepared. Its BWRX-300 design, derived from the already certified ESBWR reactor, is nearing construction in Ontario, Canada. With a projected completion by 2028, GE Hitachi has secured $17 billion in funding, placing it ahead of its competitors.

While Westinghouse and Rolls-Royce also bring promising technologies, both are still behind in the approval process. Rolls-Royce’s design is expected to complete certification in the UK by 2026, and Westinghouse’s AP300 is still in the early licensing stages in the U.S.

For the Czech Republic, timely selection is critical, as delays could see the country falling behind others in Europe, such as Poland and Estonia, which have already expressed interest in similar technologies. However, industry experts believe that GE Hitachi’s progress makes it a frontrunner, with fewer uncertainties compared to its competitors.

Source: www.e15.cz

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