Rolls-Royce SMR has widened its Czech footprint, signing a memorandum of understanding with utility ČEZ and the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade to enable site preparation activities at two additional sites. The deal underpins a plan to deploy up to 3 GW of small modular reactor capacity in Czechia — one of the most ambitious SMR programmes in Europe.
Two more sites into pre-feasibility
The new sites join the previously identified Temelín-adjacent location as candidate hosts for Rolls-Royce SMR's 470 MWe pressurised water reactor. The MoU covers ground investigations, environmental scoping and engagement with local municipalities so that construction decisions can move quickly once regulatory pathways are finalised. ČEZ is the anchor customer via its ČEZ SMR joint venture and remains responsible for utility interface and licensing in Czechia.
UK supply chain locks in early wins
Momentum in Rolls-Royce SMR's supply chain has been building in parallel. Key steam turbine components for its first three UK reactors at the Wylfa site on Anglesey will be manufactured at Siemens Energy's Newcastle Parsons Works — a package covered in our September 6 report — with Great British Nuclear already having named Rolls-Royce SMR as its UK technology partner.
Europe's SMR pipeline pushes past 22 GW
Industry trackers now put the global SMR pipeline above 22 GW and $176 billion of committed projects, with Czechia joining the UK, Poland, Sweden and France as key European anchors. Signing the MoU at ministerial level sends a clear political signal that Prague sees SMRs as part of its long-term decarbonisation and energy-security answer.
Related: Tennessee grants US-first fusion licence to Type One Energy, Siemens Energy to build Rolls-Royce SMR turbines.
Reporting based on coverage from World Nuclear News and Rolls-Royce SMR.