Rolls-Royce pens Czech mini nuclear power stations contract

Rolls-Royce has signed an agreement which will allow its development activity to begin on the Czech Republic’s first small modular reactor project.

Rolls-Royce SMR has signed an Early Works Contract with CEZ Group, which strengthens the company’s position in the European SMR market and follows a recent UK contract with Great British Energy – Nuclear covering the design and delivery of the first small modular reactors in Britain.

Under the latest deal, Rolls-Royce SMR and CEZ Group will progress plans to deploy up to 3GW of electricity capacity in the Czech Republic.

Initial work will focus on site-specific design activity for the first unit at Temelin in the South Bohemian region.

The programme will also include preparations for planning approvals, permitting and licensing, alongside early infrastructure works.

The contract follows geological studies carried out on site during 2025.

Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive of Rolls-Royce, said: “This is a critical milestone for Rolls-Royce, for Rolls-Royce SMR and for Czechia.

“It unlocks a significant programme of work, which will be delivered alongside our strategic partner CEZ Group.

“It is an important vote of confidence in our unique nuclear capabilities and builds on the momentum being generated by Rolls-Royce SMR in the UK, where the contract to start work was signed last month.

“It is also further evidence that the strategic choices we have made in the transformation of Rolls-Royce are delivering.

“Rolls-Royce SMR is the only company with multiple contractual commitments to deliver SMR units in Europe and is well placed to become a market leader globally.”