The Czech Republic has signed contracts to build its first small modular reactor just 60 kilometers from the Bavarian border, positioning the facility at the Temelin nuclear power plant site in South Bohemia.
How the project aligns with Czech and British energy strategies
The state-owned energy company CEZ and UK-based Rolls-Royce SMR have formalized agreements for the development and construction of up to six small modular reactors by 2050, targeting sites currently occupied by coal-fired power plants. Rolls-Royce brings expertise from nuclear submarine propulsion and reactor construction, while CEZ aims to deploy a total capacity of up to 3 gigawatts through this initiative. Czech Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlicek announced after a meeting with UK Business Minister Peter Kyle in Prague that both nations intend to jointly capture the European small modular reactor market.
Why the location raises questions in Germany
The proximity to Bavaria has drawn attention amid Germany’s ongoing debate over nuclear energy, particularly following the country’s complete phase-out of nuclear power production in April 2023. Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder has previously advocated for Bavaria to host a pilot small modular reactor project, though the federal coalition government remains divided on the issue. The Czech project’s location near the border underscores contrasting approaches to nuclear energy between the two countries.
What the agreement entails for near-term development
The contracts signed on April 24, 2026, initiate site-specific work including regulatory approvals, environmental impact assessments, and preparatory construction at Temelin. Each small modular reactor unit is designed to generate approximately 470 megawatts of electricity, sufficient to power about one million homes for at least six decades. CEZ has indicated that the first reactor is now expected to be completed in the second half of the 2030s, a slight adjustment from earlier projections targeting the mid-2030s.
How far is the Temelin site from the Bavarian border?
The Temelin nuclear power plant site is located approximately 60 kilometers from the border with Bavaria.
What is the planned capacity for the Czech small modular reactor program by 2050?
CEZ plans to deploy up to six small modular reactors by 2050, representing a total capacity of up to 3 gigawatts.
When is the first reactor expected to be operational?
The first small modular reactor at Temelin is expected to be completed in the second half of the 2030s.