UK small modular reactor (SMR) developer Rolls-Royce SMR and Czech state energy company ČEZ Group have signed a contract that enables work to start on the eastern European nation’s first SMR programme at the Temelín nuclear site in the southwest of the country.

The signing of the early works contract follows a successful programme of geological studies which will allow Rolls-Royce SMR and ČEZ Group to jointly develop a site application for SMRs at Temelín this year.