Czech Republic approves Rolls-Royce SMRs

The Czech Republic is embarking on a major energy transition by developing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in partnership with Rolls-Royce. This initiative aims to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Partagez:

The development of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in the Czech Republic marks a significant step in the country’s energy transition.
The Czech government, under the aegis of Prime Minister Petr Fiala, recently approved a strategic partnership with the British group Rolls-Royce for the design and production of these technologies.
This initiative comes at a time when the Czech Republic is seeking to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, particularly coal, which accounts for a significant proportion of its electricity production.
The choice of Rolls-Royce as a partner for the development of SMRs is part of a broader strategy by state-owned CEZ, which plans to install up to ten of these reactors by 2050.
CEZ previously evaluated several options, including collaborations with companies such as Westinghouse and GE Hitachi, but ultimately opted for Rolls-Royce, which has demonstrated recognized expertise in nuclear technologies.
The Prime Minister emphasized that this cooperation would not only enable the development of reactors, but also strengthen Czech industrial capabilities in the nuclear sector.

The advantages of small modular reactors

SMRs offer several advantages over conventional nuclear reactors.
Their modular design enables faster, more cost-effective construction, as components can be pre-assembled in the factory and transported to the installation site.
What’s more, these reactors are generally considered to present a reduced risk of serious accident, making them more attractive to policy-makers and investors.
By integrating these technologies, the Czech Republic hopes not only to modernize its energy fleet, but also to meet growing demands in terms of safety and sustainability.
The transition to SMRs is also part of a broader energy policy aimed at increasing the share of nuclear power in the national energy mix.
At present, around 30% of the country’s electricity comes from the Temelin and Dukovany nuclear power plants, and this proportion is set to rise to 50% as coal-fired plants are gradually shut down.
This development is essential if we are to meet the decarbonization targets set by the European Union and respond to growing concerns about climate change.

Project challenges and prospects

Despite the potential benefits of SMR, a number of challenges remain.
Implementing this technology requires significant investment and close coordination between the various players in the sector.
Moreover, competition in the nuclear reactor market is intense, with companies such as KHNP recently winning a contract to build two conventional nuclear units at Dukovany.
This project, estimated to cost almost nine billion dollars, underlines the importance of competitiveness in the energy sector.
The rise of SMRs could also have geopolitical implications.
By developing its own nuclear capacities, the Czech Republic could strengthen its energy independence and reduce its vulnerability to fluctuations in world energy markets.
As CEZ spokesman Ladislav Kriz points out, “strategic cooperation with Rolls-Royce enables Czech companies to develop and produce cutting-edge nuclear technologies”.
This dynamic could also encourage innovation and job creation in the energy sector.

Conclusion on the Czech Republic’s energy future

The Czech Republic’s small modular nuclear reactor initiative represents a significant step towards a sustainable energy transition.
By partnering with Rolls-Royce, the country is committed to modernizing its energy infrastructure while addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
The ability to develop advanced nuclear technologies could not only strengthen national energy security, but also position the Czech Republic as a key player in the European energy landscape.
The next few years will be crucial for observing how this strategy unfolds, and what the economic and environmental benefits will be.

Russia declares itself ready to retrieve and transform Iran’s excess nuclear materials into fuel, a proposal aimed at easing tense nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States.
The Moscow Arbitration Court postpones by nine months the trial initiated by Rosatom against Fortum and Outokumpu, seeking nearly three billion dollars following the controversial cancellation of a nuclear project in Finland.
The UK regulator has accepted to examine Newcleo’s advanced LFR-AS-200 reactor, marking a first for a modular lead-cooled technology in the country.
Framatome strengthens its control over the nuclear supply chain by acquiring a 40% stake in Selectarc, France’s sole producer of welding filler metals.
Orano USA has opened a new office in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to lead the development of a uranium enrichment facility, marking one of the largest industrial investments in the state’s history.
AtkinsRéalis and EDF signed a strategic agreement to integrate their expertise in nuclear engineering, equipment and waste management, while preserving each country’s technological sovereignty.
The British government officially commits £14.2 billion to develop two EPR nuclear reactors in eastern England, in strategic partnership with the French group EDF, with a final investment decision expected shortly.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that confidential documents were acquired by Iran, raising concerns about the country’s cooperation with the agency.
A new law extends the operational lifespan of nuclear reactors in Japan, enabling them to run past 60 years to meet rising energy demand and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Westinghouse plans to invest $75 billion in ten nuclear reactors in the United States, responding to a presidential order aimed at significantly accelerating the expansion of nuclear energy in the country by 2030.
The United States blocks export licenses for nuclear equipment to China, amplifying bilateral trade tensions already marked by strategic technology restrictions and possible retaliatory measures.
Russia requests IAEA intervention to resolve the deadlock involving American nuclear fuel at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, a critical issue for the potential restart of the site currently under Russian control.
NANO Nuclear Energy has appointed Intel executive and former U.S. Department of Energy leader Seth Berl as an independent director to support its strategy in advanced nuclear technologies.
The Cour des comptes is calling on the French government to speed up efforts to locate storage sites for over 280,000 m³ of long-lived radioactive waste, which currently lacks an operational solution.
The French National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee mistakenly rejects a crucial article on France's nuclear strategy, causing significant parliamentary confusion and casting doubt on the country’s energy targets.
Czech court authorizes major $18 billion nuclear project, allowing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to proceed with the construction of a controversial power plant despite legal challenges.
Italy’s Ansaldo Energia signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency to cooperate on advanced nuclear technologies, with a focus on small modular reactors.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the uprated version of NuScale’s small modular reactor, paving the way for commercial deployment of compact nuclear projects in the United States.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a 26-month contract to assess a site in Uganda’s Buyende region for its first nuclear reactor, in compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.