Rolls-Royce wins Czech authorities mini nukes contract

Rolls-Royce’s nuclear power ambitions received a major boost last night as the firm secured a key contract.

The British engineering giant has been selected to build mini nuclear power plants for the Czech government.

Rolls-Royce beat competition from French, American and Japanese rivals to be named as a preferred supplier to state-owned power group CEZ.

Power move: British engineering giant Rolls-Royce  has been selected to build mini nuclear power plants for the Czech government

The deal will see Rolls-Royce develop and construct small modular reactors (SMRs), with the first one expected to be built near the Temelin nuclear power plant before 2035.

Nuclear power is seen as a key source of clean energy as the world shifts towards net-zero.

SMRs are smaller than conventional nuclear reactors and can be made in factories. 

They could transform how power stations are built by making construction faster and cheaper.

Rolls-Royce is hoping to build SMRs in the UK, having previously outlined plans for 16 plants across the country.

Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds said last night: ‘This is an outstanding vote of confidence in British engineering and proof the UK is at the cutting edge of nuclear technology.’

Other bidders for the partnership included US giant Westinghouse, the US-Japanese group GE Hitachi and France’s EDF.

Rolls-Royce SMR chief executive Chris Cholerton said it was a ‘landmark’ announcement.