US DOE funding to accelerate molten salt reactor development

Started by Marlin, Oct 16, 2026, 01:51

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The US Department of Energy approved cost-shared funding to accelerate the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment, targeting first criticality in 2027. Southern Company, Idaho National Laboratory, and Core Power are partnering on the project to gather operational data on fast-spectrum molten salt reactors. The initiative aims to reduce technical uncertainty and support future commercial deployment and licensing pathways for advanced nuclear technologies.

QuoteThe Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment aims to achieve first criticality in 2027, with the US Department of Energy approving cost-shared funding under its Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. ;

The funding for an accelerated final stage is intended to support work by utility Southern Company, Idaho National Laboratory and maritime nuclear specialist Core Power to "advance scientific understanding of molten salt reactor technology and inform future reactor development".

The Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment is expected to generate data on the behaviour of the fuel, reactor operation and performance "providing the scientific and engineering foundation needed to support future reactor design, licensing pathways and commercial deployment".

Read the full article at World Nuclear News:
https://world-nuclear-news.org/articles/us-doe-funding-to-accelerate-molten-chloride-reactor-development