New Delhi, April 26 -- The Czech power company ČEZ signed a deal on Friday with Rolls-Royce SMR on preparatory work for the British company to build the first small modular nuclear reactor in the Czech Republic.

ČEZ chief executive Daniel Benes said that the work includes the project plan and licensing documentation necessary for issuing building permits for the reactor.

Benes said the company hopes to have all the approvals by 2030. The small nuclear reactor will be built at the site of the existing Temelin nuclear plant.

On April 13, Great Britain Energy - Nuclear, a government agency, inked a contract with Rolls-Royce SMR to begin design work for the first small nuclear reactors in the U.K.

Benes said that the Czech small...