Czech power company ČEZ said that it had set aside a special space within the Temelín nuclear power plant complex where the first small modular reactor (SMR) in the Czech Republic could be constructed in the future.
ČEZ informed US companies NuScale and GE Hitachi of the decision as well as representatives of the South Bohemian Region and a representative of US Holtec International. The allocated space will not limit the potential construction of two more standard nuclear units, ČEZ noted.
"This activity does not disturb the plan for the construction of two standard units in the Temelín locality. Options for these are also part of the tender for the construction of a new nuclear unit in Dukovany, which we launched two weeks ago,” explained ČEZ CEO and Board Chairman Daniel Beneš.
"From the point of view of nuclear energy, Temelín is a suitable location and I know from my experience that it is necessary to focus on the future. Small modular reactors are the future of energy, which is why I am actively entering into these negotiations on behalf of the South Bohemian Region and supporting joint action," said Martin Kuba, Governor of the South Bohemian Region.
CEZ Group signed memoranda of cooperation on SMRs with NuScale in 2019, Rolls-Royce in 2020, and Holtec in 2020, as well as with GE Hitachi, EDF and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). Through its ÚJV Řež subsidiary, CEZ Group is also developing SMRs. For example, the HeFASTo project or the Energywell project are at an advanced stage of research.
Photo: Temelin nuclear power plant in Czech Republic, currently home to two VVER-1000 reactors, could also be the site of small modular reactors in future
