Czech Republic, UK sign landmark nuclear energy deal in London

The Czech Republic and the United Kingdom signed a landmark agreement Monday to boost cooperation in nuclear energy. The agreement laid the groundwork for the future development of small modular reactors (SMRs) and deepened their strategic energy partnership.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced the memorandum of understanding after meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London. The agreement could lead to British firm Rolls-Royce building a manufacturing facility for SMRs in the Czech Republic, a move that would mark a major step forward in Europe’s low-carbon energy transition.

“This partnership will help ensure energy security and affordable, clean energy for future generations. With Rolls-Royce SMR and ČEZ, we aim to develop small modular reactors and locate a production facility in the Czech Republic, a key step for our energy future and industry,” Fiala said on X.

The deal builds on growing ties between the Czech state-controlled energy giant ČEZ and Rolls-Royce SMR. ČEZ recently acquired a roughly 20 percent stake in the British company, and the two are now planning joint development and deployment of modular reactors, compact, factory-built units designed to be quicker and cheaper to construct than traditional nuclear plants.

Rolls-Royce SMR has already received regulatory approval in the UK and is backed by a £2.5 billion (about CZK 73 billion) investment from the British government. ČEZ aims to install SMRs with a total capacity of 3 gigawatts in the Czech Republic by 2050, starting with a first reactor next to the Temelín nuclear plant in the mid-2030s. Coal plant sites, such as Tušimice in the Ústí nad Labem region, are also under review.

The memorandum also outlines potential cooperation on nuclear fuel cycles, decommissioning, waste management, and regulatory frameworks, areas where shared expertise could fast-track nuclear deployment on both sides.

Fiala emphasized that Czech involvement in SMR development could position the country as a global player in the next generation of nuclear technology. “This complements our plans to build two large reactors at Dukovany and puts us at the forefront of energy innovation,” he said.

The leaders also discussed security matters, including continued support for Ukraine. Starmer praised the Czech-led initiative to deliver artillery ammunition to Kyiv. Fiala, who visited the headquarters of British intelligence agency MI6 during the trip, called Czech-British security cooperation “promising.”

The Czech Republic sees nuclear energy as critical to phasing out coal, which still accounts for a significant share of the country’s electricity generation. While traditional reactors face long timelines and political hurdles, SMRs are increasingly viewed as a faster and more scalable solution.

Monday’s agreement also signals a post-Brexit shift toward deeper bilateral cooperation between Prague and London, particularly on high-tech infrastructure and energy resilience.