Czech Republic Proposes Ukraine to Participate in Joint DAVID SMR Design Project

At the IV International Conference "Prospects for the Introduction of Innovations in Nuclear Energy", Oleh Hodun, Chief Engineer of the Scientific and Technical Center of NAEC Energoatom, announced that Czech colleagues have made an interesting proposal regarding SMR development.

The Proposal

Czechatom, which develops the DAVID reactor, invited Ukrainian specialists to participate in the design process. In exchange for Ukrainian expertise, Ukraine would receive project documentation for building this power unit.

Advantages of the Czech Proposal

• DAVID is analogous to VVER-440, more compact, with capacity up to 300 MW
• Fully compatible with fuel, regulatory framework, and calculation programs currently used in Ukraine
• First power unit financing is fully resolved — no state funds from NAEC Energoatom or Ukraine will be used
• Ukraine would formally receive the project and the power unit, with the freedom to determine its use (including as a research reactor)

DAVID SMR Technical Specifications

• Small modular pressurized water reactor (SMR) with thermal capacity of 175 MW (50 MW electric)
• Configuration of eight reactors can provide up to 400 MW electric capacity
• Optimal for replacing thermal power plants
• Based on proven PWR technology
• Features shared hot chamber for fuel exchange between multiple nuclear sources

Key Partners

• Witkowitz Atomica a.s. — technology owner
• Czechatom a.s. — nuclear island engineering
• AFRY CZ s.r.o. — engineering and design services
• Bresson Power a.s. — conceptual partner

Cooperation Framework Already Established

• Witkowitz Atomica has officially registered representation in Kyiv
• MoU signed with SSTC NRS (State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety)
• Trilateral MoU signed between Witkowitz Atomica, Bresson Power, and Institute of Nuclear Research of NAS Ukraine
• Witkowitz Atomica is official partner of STCU (Science and Technology Center in Ukraine)
• Czechatom partners with NTC "Nuclear Fuel Cycle" of NSC KIPT