UK-Czech Agreement Sets Stage for Global SMR Leadership

In a significant step toward strengthening Britain’s energy security and cutting carbon emissions, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala have signed a landmark nuclear energy agreement. The deal marks the beginning of a new phase of cooperation between the UK and Czechia, centred on the development, production, and export of small modular reactors, or SMRs, across Europe.

This partnership positions both countries at the forefront of one of the most promising clean energy technologies on the horizon. SMRs are expected to play a central role in transforming how the world generates power, and this agreement ensures that the UK and Czechia are shaping that future rather than just reacting to it.

Beyond the energy implications, the deal opens up fresh avenues for investment and cross-border industrial collaboration. The economic payoff could be substantial, bringing with it thousands of skilled jobs and new opportunities for both British and Czech workers.

Starmer commented: “This agreement is about delivering for Britain – cleaner energy, better jobs, and greater security.

“By working with our Czech partners on small modular reactors, we’re backing British engineering, strengthening our industrial base, and putting the UK in a leading position to export the technologies of the future.”

The Promise of SMRs

Small modular reactors are a next-generation nuclear technology designed to be safer, faster to build, and far more flexible than traditional large-scale reactors. These compact units typically produce between 50 and 300 megawatts of electricity and can be manufactured in factories before being assembled on-site.

Because of their size and modular design, SMRs can be deployed in a wide range of locations. From remote communities to existing industrial hubs, they offer an adaptable solution to energy demand. They also come with a host of modern safety enhancements and are expected to become significantly cheaper as the technology scales and matures.

The International Energy Agency estimates that the global SMR market could grow to nearly £500 billion by 2050. For countries that move early, the economic rewards could be immense.

Rolls-Royce Leads the Charge

This new bilateral agreement builds on an existing relationship between British engineering powerhouse Rolls-Royce SMR and Czech utility company ČEZ. Last year, ČEZ acquired a 20 per cent stake in Rolls-Royce SMR, a clear vote of confidence in the UK’s approach to small modular reactor technology.

The UK has pledged support for the deployment of up to six SMRs in the Czech Republic. If delivered, these projects could generate billions of pounds in contracts for British firms and anchor the country as a major player in Europe’s clean energy transition.

Rolls-Royce SMR has also been named the preferred partner for Great British Energy’s new nuclear division. With final approvals pending, the stage is set for a surge in UK-based SMR production that could define the next era of atomic power.

Powering Progress at Home

To back this vision, the UK Government has committed over £2.5 billion to the development and rollout of SMRs. Each reactor, once operational, could power around half a million homes. Together with large-scale nuclear projects like Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, SMRs are expected to secure a stable, low-carbon energy supply for decades to come.

The impact won’t be limited to the grid. These initiatives are forecast to create over 3,000 high-quality jobs across Britain’s industrial regions. From engineering and construction to advanced manufacturing and export, the economic ripple effect will be felt nationwide.

Great British Energy is planning to select a site for its first SMR later this year. The goal is to connect it to the national grid in the mid-2030s, a timeline that aligns with broader net-zero ambitions and growing global demand for clean power.

A New Era for British Nuclear

This agreement between the UK and the Czech Republic is more than a diplomatic formality. It is a strategic leap toward global energy leadership, economic renewal, and technological innovation.

By embracing small modular reactors, the UK is not only safeguarding its future energy needs but also setting the pace for a new generation of clean, scalable, and exportable power solutions. For British industry, workers, and communities, this could be the beginning of something transformative. For the world, it’s a signal that the age of clean nuclear is well and truly underway.