Czech Republic and United Kingdom signed declaration on cooperation in the development of small and medium-sized nuclear reactors

Czech Republic and United Kingdom signed a declaration on cooperation in the development of small and medium-sized nuclear reactors. Small and medium-sized reactors represent a new opportunity and competitive advantage for the Czech Republic in the use of nuclear energy. Czech companies have the potential to be involved in the supply chains of small and medium-sized reactors, leading to production with high added value. Small and medium-sized reactors have an electrical output of up to 700 MW and can be modularly constructed.

Key Highlights:

* Small and medium-sized reactors, along with renewable sources, are seen as a promising solution for the energy security of the Czech Republic after the end of coal usage.

* The cooperation between the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom is part of the emerging European framework for SMR partnership prepared by the European Commission.

* The United Kingdom aims to drive rapid expansion of nuclear power, end reliance on Russian supplies, and bolster energy security through close cooperation with the Czech Government.

Original Press Release:

Sept. 11 -- Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic issued the following news release:

New business opportunities for Czech companies and the use of know-how for the entire nuclear industry. The Minister of Industry and Trade, Jozef Síkela, and the British Minister for Energy Security and Climate Neutrality, Andrew Bowie signed a joint statement in Prague on cooperation in the field of development and application of small and medium-sized nuclear reactors (SMR). United Kingdom thus became the first country, with which the Czech Republic signed such a declaration.

“Small and medium-sized reactors mean innovation in the use of nuclear energy, which represents a new opportunity and a competitive advantage for the Czech Republic. The involvement of Czech companies in supply chains would entail the production with high added value” said Minister Síkela. “It may represent a strategic investment and innovation activity on the part of both the state and the private sector. Small and medium-sized reactors along with renewable sources are a promising solution for the energy security of the Czech Republic after the end of the use of coal. Together with a strong partner such as United Kingdom, we can speed up and make construction more efficient in joint projects. This cooperation is the first swallow of the emerging European framework for SMR partnership, prepared by the European Commission” added Minister Síkela after the signing the declaration.

"The UK has already demonstrated historic leadership on civil nuclear, as the world's first civil nuclear nation, and now we are ready to unleash a nuclear renaissance across Europe. Close cooperation on civil nuclear with the Czech Government, a close ally with whom we have historic ties, will be critical to this mission as we deliver our shared endeavour to drive rapid expansion of nuclear power, end reliance on Russian supplies and bolster energy security," said Minister for Nuclear and Networks Andrew Bowie.

SMRs are nuclear sources with an electrical output of up to 700 MW with the possibility of modular construction. It is a developing technology that should be commercially available in the early thirties. In addition to the production of electricity, they can also be used for heating purposes or the production of hydrogen. Due to their size and performance, they can be a suitable replacement for aging coal-fired power plants. This is also confirmed by the concept for the development of small and medium-sized nuclear reactors, which was completed some time ago by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Following the analyses published by the CEPS, this concept indicates the potential of nuclear reactors with an output of up to 3 GWs in the 2030s. The opportunity is serial production (fleet approach), which will guarantee long-term contracts for companies in supply chains.

The Czech Republic and United Kingdom intend to stimulate business and industrial cooperation leading to the possible implementation of joint projects in the field of nuclear energy and the acceleration of the deployment of SMR to ensure the energy independence. At the same time, the practical cooperation of nuclear supervisors has already begun. Following the progress of the newly founded Great British Nuclear (GBN) company, which launched a competition to develop small and medium modular reactor technology, both countries will seek to set up a strategic dialogue for specific projects.

The Czech Republic has a long tradition of the nuclear industry and a rich scientific and research base. This competitive advantage can be crucial for the SMR technology. The Czech Republic has the opportunity to play a leading role from the beginning for example by participating in the development of foreign design and using components produced in the Czech Republic for individual modules. The Czech supply chain is ready for the deployment of the SMR technology both in terms of personnel capacities and adaptation to various standards and the regulatory environment.

United Kingdom launched the first nuclear power plant in 1956. Now the GBN public competition is underway in the country to select the appropriate technology for the country's future SMR fleet. UK offers export financing according to the OECD rules, depending on the overall financing method and the number of projects. The offer was brought to the attention of Czech entities within the framework of the Working Group for the Applicability of SMR in the Czech Republic, which is led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

[Category: Energy Equipment & Services, Partnerships and Alliances, Regulatory and Legal, ESG]

Source: Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic