CYIL vol. 16 (2025)

CYIL 16 (2025) BETWEEN INNOVATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT: EXPLORING NUCLEAR LIABILITY … škody ve světle zavádění SMR a analyzuje, zda obecný mezinárodněprávní režim založený na nástrojích, jako je Vídeňská úmluva o občanskoprávní odpovědnosti za jaderné škody a její protokol z roku 1997, a vnitrostátní provádění tohoto režimu a regulace specifická pro jednotlivé země přiměřeně zohledňují odlišný rizikový profil a provozní charakteristiky SMR. Zvláštní pozornost je věnována tomu, zda základní zásady objektivní odpovědnosti jsou i nadále vhodné pro tento vyvíjející se technologický prostor. Na příkladu českého právního rámce se článek zabývá také důsledky nedávné novely českého atomového zákona (provedené zákonem č. 83/2025 Sb.), která zavedla možnost udělování ad hoc výjimek ze standardních požadavků: legislativní vývoj s významným potenciálem utvářet národní re gulační přístup k SMR v budoucnosti. Key words: small modular reactors, liability, nuclear law, energy law, innovative nuclear technology About the authors: JUDr. Vladimír Sharp, LL.M, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the Department of Administrative Law and Administrative Science, Charles University, Faculty of Law, https://orcid.org/0000 0003-2998-6865. JUDr. Gabriela Blahoudková, Ph.D., Academic Researcher at the Department of Administrative Law and Administrative Science, Charles University, Faculty of Law, https://orcid.org/0009 0005-5350-2113. 1. Introduction 1 The ongoing decarbonization of the energy sector, coupled with the need to ensure reliable energy supplies and meet growing demand, represents a key driver of its current transformation. The primary sources of energy today include fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, biomass), and nuclear power. 2 While fossil fuels continue to play a significant role in the global energy mix, the current European political setup is prompting a gradual shift away from their use. In contrast, renewable energy sources are experiencing rapid development, although their deployment is often constrained by variability in output and dependence on geographic and weather conditions. 3 While nuclear energy serves as a relatively stable and efficient source of electricity, it also remains a source of public concern, primarily due to the potential for severe accidents (as exemplified by the extreme cases of Chernobyl and Fukushima) and the challenges associated with the safe management of radioactive waste. These concerns translate into stringent regulatory requirements, lengthy approval processes, and often, public resistance to the construction of new nuclear facilities. When exploring pathways to enhance the safety and social acceptability of nuclear energy, one of the most promising technological innovations was the widespread expansion of small modular reactors (commonly referred to as the “SMRs”), offering the potential to 1 The research presented in this article was conducted as part of the research project titled ‘A fleet of small modular reactors on the horizon! Do we need a new nuclear law?’ funded by the Czech Science Foundation (No. GA24-10062S). 2 Eurostat. Shedding light on energy in Europe – 2024 edition. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/ interactive-publications/energy-2024 [accessed 21 June 2025]. 3 European Commission. Renewables Hit Record Growth in 2024, but Global Gaps Remain. Available at: https:// cvvm.soc.cas.cz/media/com_form2content/documents/c2/a5472/f9/oe211119b.pdf. [accessed 21 June 2025].

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