SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Nuclear power: Czechs plan first SMR for 2032

The CEZ energy group plans to launch its first Small modular reactors (SMR) within 10 years to complement the Czech energy mix and reduce the use of fossil fuels.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

Czech state-owned energy company CEZ recently announced plans to launch three SMRs by 2040. The first SMR is expected to be launched in Temelin around 2032, while the other two will be built in the second half of the 2030s. Ladislav Kriz, spokesman for the CEZ, confirmed this information in a statement to AFP.

Construction of PRMs

The first SMR will be built in Temelin, near one of the two nuclear power plants controlled by CEZ, which covers about one third of the total Czech electricity production. The next two SMRs will be built at the group’s coal-fired power plants, with the aim of switching from fossil fuels to decarbonized technologies. CEZ is also considering other locations for additional SMRs, including near its other nuclear plant in Dukovany and other coal-fired plants.

The benefits of MRP

According to Tomas Pleskac, a member of the CEZ board of directors, “SMRs are not intended to replace large nuclear units, they complement the Czech energy mix as a practical substitute for coal-fired power plants and large CO2-emitting heating plants.” SMRs are considered a practical and affordable alternative to more powerful conventional reactors. RMS systems and components can be factory assembled and transported in complete units to their installation location, making them relatively simple to build.

A new large nuclear reactor planned

In addition to SMRs, CEZ also plans to launch a new large nuclear reactor at Dukovany by 2036. Late last year, the group received offers from Westinghouse, EDF and KHNP for the project.

MRPs in the European energy context

SMRs are being considered by several European countries, as they can be a practical solution to complement the energy mix while reducing CO2 emissions. Global energy prices have also skyrocketed due to Russia’s reduced energy exports in response to sanctions imposed on it following the invasion of Ukraine.

 

The launch of SMRs by CEZ represents an important step in the development of nuclear energy in the Czech Republic. SMRs are seen as a practical and affordable alternative to more powerful conventional reactors, and can help the country transition from fossil fuels to decarbonized technologies.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Nuclear energy retained in the European Union green taxonomy
Orazul Energy launches cash tender offer for its 2027 notes
Petrobras takes 27.5% stake in Block 4 offshore São Tomé with Shell and Galp
Italy could unlock €16bn in hydropower through new concession model
Westinghouse and EDF reactors deemed viable for Slovenia’s JEK2 nuclear project
European court annuls EU approval of state aid for Hungary’s Paks II nuclear project
The European Court of Justice annulled the European Commission's authorisation of Hungarian state aid for the Paks II nuclear project, questioning compliance with EU public procurement rules.
A CNY4.2bn contract awarded for China’s Xuwei nuclear project
A Chinese consortium has secured a CNY4.2bn ($594mn) contract for the construction of conventional islands for the Xuwei nuclear project, combining third and fourth generation reactors.
Rosatom and CNNC formalise cooperation agreement on nuclear training
Rosatom and China National Nuclear Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in talent development and skills training in the nuclear sector.
Iran and IAEA sign technical agreement to restart nuclear inspections
Iran has reached a new agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to formalise the resumption of inspections, following months of suspension linked to military tensions and criticism of its nuclear programme.
France positions itself on small modular reactors with eleven key recommendations
The French Energy Regulatory Commission outlines a structured plan to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors, focusing on industrial heat and series effects to enhance competitiveness.
Nuclearn raises $10.5mn to expand automation in nuclear power plants
US-based Nuclearn has secured $10.5mn to scale its artificial intelligence platform, already deployed in over 65 nuclear reactors, to automate critical operations amid rising energy demand.
The inner dome of Haiyang 4 reactor successfully installed in China
The steel dome of the CAP1000 Haiyang 4 reactor has been positioned, a major construction milestone paving the way for upcoming maintenance and technical installation phases.
French and Belgian nuclear industry groups sign strategic cooperation agreement
The Groupement des Industriels Français de l'Énergie Nucléaire and the Belgian Nuclear Forum formalise a partnership aimed at strengthening industrial exchanges and joint projects between the two countries’ nuclear sectors.
IAEA urges Iran to resume nuclear inspections as time runs out
The International Atomic Energy Agency warns that little time remains to reach an agreement with Iran on fully resuming inspections, as European sanctions could be reimposed within 30 days.
Oklo invests $1.7bn in nuclear recycling plant in Tennessee
US-based Oklo will build the country’s first privately funded nuclear fuel recycling centre in Oak Ridge, investing $1.7bn and creating over 800 jobs.
TVA and ENTRA1 seal historic agreement for 6 GW of SMR reactors in the United States
The Tennessee Valley Authority partners with ENTRA1 Energy to develop up to 6 gigawatts of modular nuclear capacity, in an unprecedented project supporting energy growth across seven U.S. states.
IAEA: Iran held 440.9 kg at 60% before Israeli strikes
A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency puts Iran’s 60% enriched uranium at 440.9 kg before Israeli and U.S. strikes, while the agency’s access to enrichment sites has remained suspended since the operations.
Westinghouse strengthens UK supply chain for nuclear reactors
US-based Westinghouse has signed six industrial agreements in the UK to supply critical components for its AP1000 and AP300 nuclear projects in Britain and abroad.
NANO Nuclear secures $1.25mn contract for KRONOS MMR microreactor
NANO Nuclear Energy receives direct funding from the US Air Force innovation branch to assess the integration of its KRONOS MMRâ„¢ microreactor at the Washington D.C. military base.
EDF extends two nuclear reactors in the United Kingdom until March 2028
EDF extends the operation of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by one year after favourable safety inspections, ensuring continuity of nuclear production and safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs.
Rosatom prepares new nuclear projects in India and Turkey
Russian nuclear group Rosatom has confirmed advanced discussions with India and Turkey to launch new power plants, including advanced and floating reactor technologies.
Uranium traces detected in Syria at site linked to former Israeli airstrike
The International Atomic Energy Agency has identified uranium particles of industrial origin in samples taken from a Syrian site suspected of hosting an undeclared nuclear reactor.
Norway launches assessment process for two nuclear projects
Norwegian authorities begin the first regulatory phase for two modular nuclear reactor projects, marking a strategic step in the national review of the potential role of nuclear energy in the country’s power mix.
India accelerates its nuclear program to join the global top 5
With eleven reactors under construction and major projects such as Jaitapur, India is preparing a nuclear build-up that could place it among the world’s five leading nations in the sector.
Paris and Berlin agree on an energy roadmap including nuclear power
France and Germany have validated a joint energy roadmap, including a commitment to the non-discrimination of nuclear energy in European financing.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.