In a significant step toward expanding clean energy in the EU, Rolls-Royce SMR and Czech utility ČEZ have signed an Early Works Agreement. This agreement enables both parties to commence site-specific activities at the Temelín location, laying the groundwork for the Czech Republic’s first small modular reactor (SMR).
This announcement follows a high-level agreement signed by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, reinforcing both nations’ shared commitment to support the growth of SMR technology. Their collaboration aims to drive clean energy development, create skilled jobs, and unlock economic opportunities across Europe and beyond.
ČEZ has chosen Rolls-Royce SMR as its top tech partner for up to 3 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon power. This is a big step for the growing Czech-British nuclear alliance.
Temelín to Host Czechia’s First Rolls-Royce SMR
Rolls-Royce SMRs will play a crucial role in Czechia’s clean energy future. The first SMR will be built near the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant in the South Bohemian Region, with a target deployment in the mid-2030s. Additional locations, such as Tušimice in the Ústí nad Labem Region, are also under review—particularly in areas where coal-fired power plants are being phased out.
Under the Early Works Agreement, a joint team will conduct essential groundwork, including licensing, regulatory approvals, environmental assessments, and preparatory site development. These early activities aim to fast-track deployment while aligning with Czechia’s climate goals and energy security needs.
Compact, Efficient, Long-Lasting
The Rolls-Royce SMR utilizes a three-loop pressurized water reactor (PWR) design, which generates 1,358 MW of heat. This type of reactor is already used in hundreds of nuclear plants around the world and is known for being safe and reliable.
The company has improved the design by adding advanced safety systems and using a modular build approach, which makes construction faster and more affordable.
- Each SMR will generate 470 megawatts of clean electricity, which is enough to power one million homes.
- The plant has a 60-year lifespan and will operate with an availability rate of over 92%, making it a highly efficient and dependable energy solution.
Here’s the layout design of the SMR
Smarter Design, Safer Operations
One of the major advantages of the Rolls-Royce SMR is its modular construction approach. Instead of building the entire plant on-site, major components are manufactured in controlled factory environments using advanced manufacturing techniques.
- It includes multiple safety systems and redundancy layers to ensure the reactor can shut down safely even without human intervention for up to three days.
- The facility can also withstand ground movements and external threats.
One of the key innovations is the boron-free primary circuit, which eliminates the use of toxic and corrosive boric acid. This improves environmental safety and drastically cuts plant water usage.
These modules are then transported to the plant location for final assembly. By simplifying construction, Rolls-Royce addresses challenges that have delayed large-scale nuclear projects in the past.
Supporting Global Net Zero Goals
Rolls-Royce SMRs are tailored to support global efforts to decarbonize power generation, replace coal plants, and enable clean industrial heating and green hydrogen production.
Their compact size, lower cost, and flexible siting make them ideal for a wide range of energy applications, ranging from on-grid electricity to off-grid industrial use.
By providing long-term, stable energy, the Rolls-Royce SMR offers a reliable pathway to net zero. This is how it helps countries meet their climate targets while ensuring energy security.
ČEZ Group: Powering Czechia’s Low-Carbon Future
ČEZ, one of the largest energy companies in Central and Eastern Europe, is leading Czechia’s transition to clean power. The company operates six nuclear reactors at its Dukovany and Temelín sites. They will supply around 36% of the nation’s electricity from emission-free sources.
Temelín, located 24 km from České Budějovice, is the largest power station in the country. It houses two VVER 1000 reactors, which produce over 15 terawatt-hours (TWh) of clean electricity annually. In 2025, output is expected to increase by 1.9 TWh (6%), driven by reduced outage times in Unit B2.
Looking ahead, ČEZ aims to:
- Extend the lifespan of its nuclear plants to 60 years
- Increase annual nuclear output to over 32 TWh
- Construct a new nuclear unit at Dukovany
- Deploy over 1,000 MW of SMRs post-2040
“Clean Energy for Tomorrow”
ČEZ’s “Clean Energy for Tomorrow” plan aims for strong sustainability. The company is speeding up its decarbonization timeline. It now commits to climate neutrality by 2040, ten years sooner than planned. Emission intensity has dropped by 20% since 2020.
Its “Vision 2030” outlines three core goals:
- Transition to a low-emission production portfolio
- Deliver best-in-class customer experience with energy-efficient solutions
- Operate responsibly under ESG principles
This strategy reflects the European Union’s broader climate ambitions and positions ČEZ as a role model for utility companies across the continent.
Rapid Growth in Renewables and Energy Storage
While nuclear remains central to ČEZ’s clean energy mix, the company is also ramping up investments in renewables and battery storage.
By 2025, ČEZ plans to install 1.5 GW of renewable capacity, scaling up to 6 GW by 2030. The goal includes building at least 300 megawatts of electric (MWe) energy storage capacity by the end of the decade. These steps will provide flexibility to the grid and support increased integration of solar and wind power.
Additionally, ČEZ has also signed a long-term agreement for Kazakh natural uranium. Over the next seven years, this supply will cover about one-third of the uranium needs for Westinghouse-manufactured fuel assemblies at Temelín.
ČEZ and Rolls-Royce SMR show how countries and companies can work together for cleaner energy. By combining British technology with Czech know-how, they create a reliable power source that benefits both the climate and the economy. And the Temelín SMR project offers faster construction, better safety, and lasting energy security for the EU.
