Czechia set to become an SMR leader: Havlíček sees major opportunity for industry

Dozens to hundreds of Czech companies could take part in the development and construction of small modular reactors (SMRs). They could thus participate in dozens of projects across Europe. More than 60 domestic companies have so far expressed interest, including firms from engineering, technical services and design. Industry Minister Karel Havlíček (ANO) and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce said this at a press conference today. The first reactor in the Czech Republic is being prepared at Temelín, while an agreement to launch another project in Dětmarovice is due to be signed in the summer, according to Havlíček.

Czech energy company ČEZ, in cooperation with Britain's Rolls-Royce SMR, in which the Czech company holds a stake of around one-fifth, plans to build up to three gigawatts of small modular reactors in the Czech Republic. According to ČEZ, the first Czech SMR should be built at the Temelín site in the first half of the 2030s. However, the first reactor on which the two companies will cooperate will be built at the Wylfa site in Britain.