The next step in the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) in Czechia has been marked with the naming of Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred supplier.

The naming by the Czech government and the state utility ?EZ Group follows the reaching of an agreement between the two parties for the development of small and medium-sized SMRs to support the country’s energy security into the future.

Rolls-Royce SMR was selected from a list of seven potential SMR technology providers.

“This important strategic partnership … will put ?EZ, Rolls-Royce SMR and its existing shareholders at the forefront of SMR deployment,” said Rolls-Royce SMR CEO, Chris Cholerton.

“Rolls-Royce SMRs will be a source of clean, affordable, reliable electricity for Czechia – creating jobs, enabling decarbonisation, reducing the reliance on imported energy and supporting the global effort to reach net zero.”

Discussions are ongoing to finalise contract terms and the final agreements are subject to customary regulatory clearances.

?EZ plans to build its first SMR near the South Bohemian Temelín nuclear power plant, with its completion before the commissioning of the new large Czech nuclear unit that is planned to be built before 2040.

?EZ is also exploring other locales for the erection of the second and third SMR, including the sites of the Dětmarovice and Tušimice power plants, which are currently undergoing exploration and monitoring to assess their suitability for the deployment of a nuclear source.

?EZ states that in the preparation of SMRs it makes sense to place them on the sites of existing coal-fired sources, so they can generate not only power but also heat for the central heat supply systems that those end-of-life coal-fired plants are currently supplying.

Further details of the agreement with Rolls-Royce are due to be released at its signing.