Czech Škoda JS Wins First Polish Nuclear Energy Order, to Invest About CZK 300 Million in Modernizing MARIA Research Reactor

Pilsen-based Škoda JS a.s., part of the Czech ČEZ Group, has recently won its first commercial contract in the Polish market. The company will invest approximately CZK 300 million to carry out a comprehensive modernization of the MARIA research reactor, which belongs to the Polish National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) and is located in Otwock, near Warsaw. Škoda JS spokesperson Karel·Samec confirmed the deal to the Czech News Agency (ČTK), saying the company hopes to use this as an opportunity to further expand into the Polish nuclear power market and to secure a role as a core equipment supplier in Poland's future commercial nuclear new-build projects.

The Polish National Centre for Nuclear Research is one of the largest research institutions in Central Europe. Its MARIA reactor was first built in the 1970s and is currently the only operating nuclear reactor in Poland, mainly undertaking basic science and advanced medical research. The reactor plays a key role in the production of medical radioisotopes and provides an experimental platform for nuclear physics, materials science, and nuclear energy engineering research, while also being responsible for training professional technical personnel for Poland's national nuclear power program. Earlier this year, the reactor was shut down for several months after its original operating license expired, and subsequently completed license renewal.

Škoda JS Commercial Director Petr·Altschul said that this key project covers a comprehensive renovation and upgrade of the research reactor's instrumentation and control (I&C) system, the supply of ionization chambers and fission chambers, and the delivery and installation of a complete set of new control rod drive mechanisms (CRDM). The entire modernization project is expected to be fully completed by December 2027.

Under the contract arrangement, Škoda JS's engineering team will comprehensively prepare the complete engineering documentation for the reactor, be responsible for integrating and installing the new equipment at the reactor site, and then lead the overall commissioning work. The contract scope also covers hands-on training for Polish operating personnel on the new systems. Samec added that Škoda JS will manufacture the new control rod drive mechanisms at its Pilsen plant, including the hardware for the encapsulated ionization chambers and fission chambers; dataPartner, headquartered in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, as the main subcontractor, will be responsible for supplying control system-related components.

Škoda JS Chief Executive Officer František Krček noted that entering the Polish market for the first time has important strategic value for the company in building an overseas performance benchmark. Given that preparations for Poland's large commercial nuclear power units have already made substantive progress, Škoda JS is actively seeking to participate in Poland's subsequent nuclear power construction supply chain as a supplier of key components and nuclear island equipment.

In addition to the Polish market, Škoda JS is currently focusing its overseas export layout on the post-conflict nuclear power reconstruction market in Ukraine, as well as Slovakia, which is planning new nuclear power plants. The company also continues to provide complete sets of equipment for nuclear power projects currently under construction in the United Kingdom. In its home Czech market, the company is making every effort to compete for the equipment supply contract for the new units at the Dukovany NPP, and recently signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with Rolls-Royce SMR to jointly manufacture and supply small modular reactors (SMRs) for the Czech and European overseas markets.

In terms of financial performance, Škoda JS's operating profit last year increased by 16% year-on-year to CZK 287 million; operating revenue rose by nearly 20% year-on-year to CZK 3.92 billion, with overseas exports contributing nearly half of operating revenue, mainly to Slovakia and Ukraine. In addition, this veteran Czech engineering and manufacturing company signed new contracts totaling CZK 5.13 billion last year, a sharp year-on-year increase of 34%.