Czech utility CEZ and UK-based Rolls-Royce SMR have signed an Early Works Contract (EWC) to begin preparatory development for the first small modular reactor (SMR) in the Czech Republic. The agreement, announced on April 24, 2026, is an important in Central Europe’s emerging SMR deployment strategy and strengthens one of Europe’s most closely watched nuclear partnerships.
The project will be developed at the existing Temelin nuclear power site in southern Czech Republic, where CEZ already operates large-scale reactors. The first SMR unit expects completion in the second half of the 2030s, slightly later than earlier mid-2030s expectations.
Early Works Contract for First SMR in the Czech Republic: What It Enables
The newly signed Early Works Contract is key to essential preparatory work required before construction.
The agreement covers:
- Site-specific engineering design work at Temelin
- Early-stage geological and infrastructure studies
- Licensing and regulatory preparation
- Environmental and permitting documentation
- Supply chain and long-lead procurement planning
Rolls-Royce also described the agreement as a “critical milestone” that enables structured progression toward deployment and strengthens its position as a leading SMR developer in Europe.
CEZ CEO Daniel Benes has also previously indicated that the early phase will focus heavily on securing permits and regulatory approvals, targeting readiness for full construction decisions later in the decade.
First SMR in the Czech Republic: Project Scale and Technology Profile
The Rolls-Royce SMR design is a pressurised water reactor with a target output of approximately 470 MW per unit. This enough to power approximately one million homes for up to 60 years.
Key technical and commercial features include:
- Factory-built modular construction approach
- Standardized design intended for fleet deployment
- Enhanced passive safety systems
- Long operational lifespan
- Reduced on-site construction complexity compared to gigawatt-scale plants
The Czech program is also expected to become one of the first commercial SMR deployments in continental Europe.
Financing and Industrial Partnership
CEZ and Rolls-Royce are also integrated at the corporate level as CEZ holds a minority stake in Rolls-Royce SMR.
The partnership is designed to support:
- Up to 3 GW of installed SMR capacity in Czech Republic
- Industrial participation from Czech and UK supply chains
- Technology localization and long-term maintenance capability
- Export potential for future European SMR markets
First SMR in the Czech Republic: Project Timeline and Delivery Outlook
While early works are now underway, the nuclear regulatory pathway remains long and complex. Based on current projections:
- 2026-2028: Site studies, engineering design, and licensing preparation
- By 2030: Target for major regulatory approvals and financial investment decision (FID) readiness
- Late 2030s: Expected completion and commissioning of first SMR unit
This timeline aligns with other European SMR deployment expectations, including UK and Nordic programs, which also target mid-to-late 2030s commissioning windows
The collaboration also builds on UK–Czech nuclear cooperation frameworks that have expanded since 2025, when Rolls-Royce SMR was selected as CEZ’s preferred technology partner.
Europe’s Small Modular Reactor Push
Deal for the first small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) in the Czech Republic is also part of a wider European shift toward SMRs. This is as governments seek flexible, lower-cost nuclear expansion options that can complement aging reactor fleets and renewable energy systems.
SMRs, typically around 470 MW per unit in the Rolls-Royce design, are factory-built nuclear reactors designed for faster deployment and with enhanced safety systems. They are also favored for their modular scalability and are increasingly taking a center stage in energy security and decarbonization as countries phase out coal and reduce gas dependency.
Additionally, CEZ has been one of the most active European utilities pursuing nuclear diversification. Alongside large and small reactor expansion projects in Dukovany and Temelin, the company is also targeting up to 3 GW of SMR capacity by 2050 in partnership with Rolls-Royce SMR.
