Škoda JS of the Czech Republic to Supply Control Rod Drive Mechanisms for Rolls-Royce SMR

Czech nuclear engineering equipment manufacturer Škoda JS has signed a binding strategic cooperation agreement with Rolls-Royce SMR, confirming that it will serve as a core supplier to manufacture and supply Control Rod Drive Mechanisms (CRDMs) for the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) designed and developed by Rolls-Royce.

The control rod drive mechanism is the “central nervous system” and a key safety-class component that ensures the safe operation of a nuclear reactor, directly responsible for regulating reactor power output and rapidly inserting control rods under abnormal or accident conditions to achieve safe shutdown. Under the supply plan agreed by both parties, Škoda JS will not only manufacture key equipment for the Rolls-Royce SMR project planned for construction in the Czech Republic, but will also serve as an important part of the global supply chain for this reactor type, supplying complete drive systems and complete mechanical assemblies to the UK domestic market and other overseas export markets.

The finalization of this supply contract closely aligns with the Czech government's earlier strategic decision to select Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred technology solution for its national small modular reactor deployment. As a heavy nuclear power equipment manufacturer with a long history in Central Europe, Škoda JS possesses decades of engineering experience in the design and manufacture of pressurized water reactor (PWR) control rod systems, pressure vessel internals, and spent fuel storage systems. Its participation will significantly accelerate the industrialization and engineering implementation of this reactor type and the development of a localized European supply chain.

Rolls-Royce SMR adopts a standardized, modular single-unit 470 MW light water pressurized water reactor design, whose configuration supports factory prefabrication followed by on-site assembly to significantly reduce construction time and cost. With the signing of the supply chain agreement with Škoda JS, both parties will advance preliminary engineering design transfer, prototype manufacturing verification, and nuclear-grade quality assurance system alignment, laying the manufacturing foundation for the subsequent launch of batch delivery of the first units.