CEZ, Rolls-Royce to sign cooperation deal for SMRs on Tuesday

Prague, Oct 23 (CTK) - Semi-state energy company CEZ will sign a deal on strategic cooperation with Rolls-Royce SMR regarding the development of small modular reactors (SMR) in the Kramar Villa, the official residence of Czech prime ministers, on next Tuesday, the Government Office told CTK today.

CEZ announced the intention to establish a partnership with Rolls-Royce SMR in September. News server Novinky.cz reported this Tuesday that CEZ will buy a stake worth several billion crowns in the British company.

The signing ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS), who has described the construction of SMRs as a significant development of the Czech energy sector, which will contribute to increased energy security and self-sufficiency. According to him, the first modular reactor in the Czech Republic could be built on the site of the Temelin nuclear power plant in southern Bohemia in the first half of the 2030s.

Fiala said last month the Czech Republic is not interested in buying ready-made small modular reactors but wants to participate in their production on a global scale.

According to CEZ's information, the small modular reactor from Rolls-Royce SMR is a pressurised water reactor that uses both active and passive safety features. Its electrical output is expected to reach 470 megawatts, and the reactor's lifetime should be at least 60 years.

CEZ plans to build up to ten SMRs with a combined capacity of three gigawatts by 2050. Nuclear power plant Dukovany, southern Moravia, and Temelin each has a capacity of about two gigawatts.

In late August, the state entered into a security agreement with CEZ for the development of small and medium-sized modular reactors. The agreement is intended to ensure the state's security interests in the selection of a future partner for the development and construction of such reactors in the Czech Republic.

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