Czech utility joins SMR research project
NuScale Power has brought another partner into its Small Modular Reactor research project at the Idaho National Laboratory.
CEZ Group, a leading Czech utility conglomerate, has signed a memorandum of understanding with NuScale to explore the SMR as a long term solution to carbon-free-energy.
“I am confident that the simplified design and resulting lower operating costs of NuScale’s SMR make us the ideal technology to help ČEZ meet a growing demand for cost-effective, carbon free energy,” said NuScale Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Hopkins. “This agreement highlights the rapidly growing international interest in our technology, and will give us the opportunity to examine how best to deploy the NuScale SMR in Europe in the coming years.”
CEZ is evaluating a number of potential nuclear energy options. Nuclear power currently generates about one-third of all electricity in the Czech Republic.
“Our technical-engineering company UJV Rez is already researching small modular reactors, which represent an important future alternative that cannot be ignored. This partnership with NuScale is a next logical step in our efforts,” explained Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO Daniel Beneš.
Last month, the NRC completed phases two and three of its SMR design review. It is scheduled to complete its review of NuScale’s design in September 2020.
