Rolls-Royce secures deal for ŠKODA-made hardware to drive the next generation of nuclear power stations

Czech nuclear power specialist ŠKODA JS has secured a deal to supply critical safety hardware for Rolls-Royce's next generation of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). The Czech company, previously owned by Russian firm OMZ Development until its acquisition by ČEZ state-backed electric power company in 2022, will manufacture Control Rod Drive Mechanisms (CRDMs) for 470 MW reactors. CRDMs are essential for regulating output and ensuring safety in emergency situations.

The SMR, also referred to as UK SMR, is capable of generating 470 MW of energy, equivalent to 150 onshore wind turbines. This low-carbon, always-on, and virtually invisible alternative to traditional landscape-altering power stations offers a promising solution for sustainable energy production. Rolls-Royce SMR is targeting £250bn of exports and is forecast to create 40,000 jobs in the UK by 2050.

ŠKODA JS, now a "tier-one" supplier in nuclear hardware expertise, is expected to receive Kč 1 billion (around £35 million) per Rolls-Royce power station. The deal marks a significant milestone for Czech companies, as it follows an earlier Memorandum of Understanding between Rolls-Royce and ŠKODA JS, which paved the way for the development of SMR sites in the Czech Republic.

Daniel Beneš, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of ČEZ, emphasized the strategic importance of ŠKODA JS as a partner and shareholder of Rolls-Royce SMR. ŠKODA JS now faces the challenge of developing a prototype specifically for small modular reactors, which will enable the company to supply them to Rolls-Royce SMR worldwide.

Rolls-Royce SMR Chief Executive Chris Cholerton praised ŠKODA JS's proven capability in delivering a crucial component for nuclear power plants. As one of the few European businesses capable of providing this vital component, securing ŠKODA JS as a strategic supplier further highlights the industrial benefits of this project. Rolls-Royce, an extension of its turbine technology since the 1940s, has adapted its expertise for various vehicle types, land, sea, and air applications, as well as power generation.