Apr 9, 2025
ČEZ chooses Amentum to assist with the SMR program.
Amentum, an engineering company based in the US, has been chosen by the Czech utility company ČEZ to aid in its new nuclear initiative by furthering plans for two small modular reactors.
In September of the previous year, the Czech Republic selected the UK firm Rolls-Royce SMR after evaluating seven possible technology providers for its proposed small modular reactor (SMR) program. ČEZ plans to establish the first SMR near the existing Temelin nuclear power plant in the 2030s. The company stated it is also considering other locations suitable for SMRs, including Tušimice and Dětmarovice, where surveys and monitoring are underway to determine their suitability as nuclear sites.
ČEZ has now appointed Amentum to produce environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports related to the proposals for Rolls-Royce SMRs at both Temelin and Tušimice, the latter being a coal-fired power station set to be decommissioned.
Amentum announced that the work would be conducted by its nuclear and project management experts based in Brno. The team from Amentum completed preliminary scoping studies for the two locations and subsequently secured the contract to finalize the full reports following a public tender process. The EIAs will address potential radiological risks, waste management, accident scenarios and their impacts, strategies to prevent contamination of groundwater and rivers, transportation, noise, and dispersion.
The finalized EIA reports will undergo a public hearing and independent evaluation before formal approval from the Czech Ministry of the Environment. "Our global nuclear expertise, coupled with our long-established presence in Czechia and in-depth understanding of the planning procedures, positions us as the optimal partner to push this strategic initiative forward," stated Andy White, Senior Vice President of Amentum Energy & Environment International. "Our goal is to assist ČEZ and Rolls-Royce in making significant strides towards demonstrating the viability of SMRs for decarbonizing electricity generation."
In October of the previous year, ČEZ agreed to take a 20% equity share in Rolls-Royce SMR. This partnership will focus on the development of SMRs that could deliver up to 3 GW of energy capacity within the Czech Republic.
The Rolls-Royce SMR is designed to generate 470 MWe and is based on a small pressurized water reactor. It is expected to provide steady baseload power for a minimum of 60 years. Ninety percent of the SMR, which measures approximately 16 meters by 4 meters, will be manufactured in factory conditions, with on-site activities mainly limited to the assembly of prefabricated and pre-tested modules. This approach significantly mitigates project risks and has the potential to greatly reduce construction timelines.
Nuclear Power in the Czech Republic
Currently, the Czech Republic derives about one-third of its electricity from four VVER-440 units at Dukovany, which have been operational since between 1985 and 1987, and two VVER-1000 units at Temelín, which began operation in 2000 and 2002. In July 2024, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power was designated the preferred bidder for up to four new units at the existing nuclear power plants, with the aim of bringing the first unit online by 2038.
The Czech SMR roadmap, published and approved in November 2023, outlines options for technology providers and identifies a total of 45 potential sites, along with investor models. The plan envisions SMRs complementing larger nuclear units starting from the 2030s to 2040s.
In September of the previous year, the Czech Republic selected the UK firm Rolls-Royce SMR after evaluating seven possible technology providers for its proposed small modular reactor (SMR) program. ČEZ plans to establish the first SMR near the existing Temelin nuclear power plant in the 2030s. The company stated it is also considering other locations suitable for SMRs, including Tušimice and Dětmarovice, where surveys and monitoring are underway to determine their suitability as nuclear sites.
ČEZ has now appointed Amentum to produce environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports related to the proposals for Rolls-Royce SMRs at both Temelin and Tušimice, the latter being a coal-fired power station set to be decommissioned.
Amentum announced that the work would be conducted by its nuclear and project management experts based in Brno. The team from Amentum completed preliminary scoping studies for the two locations and subsequently secured the contract to finalize the full reports following a public tender process. The EIAs will address potential radiological risks, waste management, accident scenarios and their impacts, strategies to prevent contamination of groundwater and rivers, transportation, noise, and dispersion.
The finalized EIA reports will undergo a public hearing and independent evaluation before formal approval from the Czech Ministry of the Environment. "Our global nuclear expertise, coupled with our long-established presence in Czechia and in-depth understanding of the planning procedures, positions us as the optimal partner to push this strategic initiative forward," stated Andy White, Senior Vice President of Amentum Energy & Environment International. "Our goal is to assist ČEZ and Rolls-Royce in making significant strides towards demonstrating the viability of SMRs for decarbonizing electricity generation."
In October of the previous year, ČEZ agreed to take a 20% equity share in Rolls-Royce SMR. This partnership will focus on the development of SMRs that could deliver up to 3 GW of energy capacity within the Czech Republic.
The Rolls-Royce SMR is designed to generate 470 MWe and is based on a small pressurized water reactor. It is expected to provide steady baseload power for a minimum of 60 years. Ninety percent of the SMR, which measures approximately 16 meters by 4 meters, will be manufactured in factory conditions, with on-site activities mainly limited to the assembly of prefabricated and pre-tested modules. This approach significantly mitigates project risks and has the potential to greatly reduce construction timelines.
Nuclear Power in the Czech Republic
Currently, the Czech Republic derives about one-third of its electricity from four VVER-440 units at Dukovany, which have been operational since between 1985 and 1987, and two VVER-1000 units at Temelín, which began operation in 2000 and 2002. In July 2024, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power was designated the preferred bidder for up to four new units at the existing nuclear power plants, with the aim of bringing the first unit online by 2038.
The Czech SMR roadmap, published and approved in November 2023, outlines options for technology providers and identifies a total of 45 potential sites, along with investor models. The plan envisions SMRs complementing larger nuclear units starting from the 2030s to 2040s.