Rolls-Royce SMR, ČEZ and the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade have entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) enabling site preparation activities at two additional locations based on plans to deploy up to 3 GWe of small modular reactor (SMR) capacity in Czechia.
The MOU represents a significant expansion of the strategic nuclear partnership in Czechia, marking the transition from a single-unit pilot to a full-scale fleet deployment. Preparatory work will begin at the Tušimice site (Ústí nad Labem region) and the Dětmarovice site (Moravian-Silesian region). These two locations join the existing, advanced project at the Temelín NPP in South Bohemia, where the first reactor is to be deployed targeting the second half of the 1930s.
The Rolls-Royce SMR, a 470 MWe design based on a small pressurised water reactor, will is intended to provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years. Some 90% of the SMR will be built in factory conditions, limiting on-site activity to assembly of prefabricated, pre-tested, modules which has the potential to drastically shorten build schedules.
By expanding to three distinct locations, the partnership establishes a clear roadmap to deploy at least six individual 470 MWe Rolls-Royce SMR units, collectively reaching the targeted 3GWe. This multi-site programme is designed to transform former coal-fired infrastructure and further integrate the domestic Czech supply chain into global nuclear manufacturing
Rolls-Royce SMR and ČEZ are already working to deliver the first SMR at the Temelín site in the South Bohemian Region. Today’s signing enables preparatory work to begin at the Tušimice site in the Ústí nad Labem region and Dětmarovice site in the Moravian-Silesian region.
This agreement builds upon ČEZ Group’s prior investment to acquire a 20% equity stake in Rolls-Royce SMR. It solidifies the Czech Republic as a primary European launchpad for modular, factory-built reactors as the nation transitions away from fossil fuels.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Industry and Trade, Karel Havlíček, said: “Nuclear energy is a key pillar of the Czech Republic’s stable and secure energy future, and small modular reactors will be an important part of it.… Without a sufficient supply of our own reliable energy sources, it is impossible to guarantee the country’s long-term energy security and economic stability.”
“We are excited to be working across three sites, which gives us a route to delivering at least six Rolls-Royce SMRs, as we lay the foundations for 3 GW of clean, secure electricity in Czechia,” said Chris Cholerton, CEO of Rolls-Royce SMR. “This agreement builds on the strong momentum of our partnership with ČEZ and takes us another step closer to fleet deployment in one of Europe’s most important SMR markets.”
Tomáš Pleskač, member of the ČEZ Board of Directors, said: “Small modular reactors are a global opportunity for Czech industry. Our traditional nuclear companies have a long history and unique know-how, which they can further deepen through their participation in the small modular reactor project. We have already recorded the first successes: the Plzeň-based nuclear company Škoda JS has become one of the two suppliers of key nuclear-island components for the Rolls-Royce SMR. And I believe this is just the beginning. The British company is only just starting to build out its supply chain, and even at this stage we are seeing considerable interest from Czech firms keen on securing their position in the global marketplace.”
Rolls-Royce SMR is also developing SMR sites in the UK and Sweden. In the UK, under contracts with Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N) three units are to be built at the Wylfa site in Anglesey (Wales) selected by the government in November 2025. In April 2026 a two-stage delivery contract was signed with (GBE-N) with deployment scheduled for the mid-2030s.
In Sweden, Videberg Kraft (majority-owned by Vattenfall) selected Rolls-Royce SMR in June to deliver three reactors (1,500 MWe) for the Ringhals site. Early-stage planning and supply chain engagement is underway for deployment in the mid-2030s.
The Czech Republic currently gets about a third of its electricity from the four VVER-440 units at Dukovany, which began operating between 1985 and 1987, and the two VVER-1000 units at Temelín, which began operation in 2000 and 2002.
In July 2024, Czech selected KHNP as its preferred bidder for two new units near the Dukovany NPP. An engineering, procurement and construction contract for two APR-1000 units was signed in June 2025 with construction expected to start in 2029. Two more large units are also being considered for at the Temelín plant in addition to the planned SMRs.
