Copenhagen Atomics Secures Thorium Supply from Norway to Advance Molten‑Salt Reactors
Updated (2 articles)
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Letter of Intent Establishes Thorium Supply Chain On 20 February 2026 Copenhagen Atomics signed a Letter of Intent with Rare Earths Norway to obtain thorium extracted from the Fensfeltet deposit, creating a long‑term European supply chain for the material used in its molten‑salt reactors [1]. The agreement outlines technical, commercial and regulatory collaboration but does not constitute a binding purchase commitment [1]. By securing upstream thorium early, the company aims to lower project risk and ensure responsible use of a by‑product of rare‑earth production [1].
Reactor Design Targets Low‑Cost Clean Energy Copenhagen Atomics’ 100 MWt containerised molten‑salt reactor will be moderated by unpressurised heavy water and designed to consume nuclear waste while breeding new fuel from thorium [1]. The firm projects a levelised cost of €20 (~US$23.5) per megawatt‑hour, enabling mass‑manufacture on assembly lines and positioning the reactor for industrial applications such as ammonia synthesis, hydrogen production, desalination and process heat [1]. The design emphasizes modularity and rapid deployment to accelerate clean‑energy adoption [1].
Fuel Separation Strategy Reduces Long‑Lived Waste The reactor’s fuel‑cycle concept separates spent light‑water reactor fuel into four streams—zircaloy, uranium, fission products and transuranics—allowing plutonium to “kick‑start” thorium breeding and dramatically cut the volume of long‑lived radioactive waste [1]. This approach aims to improve waste management compared with conventional reactors and supports the company’s sustainability goals [1]. The separation process is integral to the reactor’s claimed waste‑reduction performance [1].
Testing and Commercial Rollout Timeline The first test unit is slated for operation at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, providing a proof‑of‑concept platform before commercial scaling [1]. Copenhagen Atomics targets early‑2030s commercial deployment of mass‑manufactured reactors across Europe [1]. The secured thorium supply is expected to underpin this timeline, facilitating low‑cost, clean energy for heavy‑industry processes [1].
Timeline
Feb 10, 2026 – Copenhagen Atomics completes a two‑year continuous operation of a molten‑salt pump and test loop, achieving over 100,000 combined pump hours and proving long‑term durability essential for MSR licensing; CEO Thomas Jam Pedersen says the run “proves that molten‑salt pumps can operate stably over commercial‑relevant timescales and that regulators need data, not optimism”[2].
Feb 20, 2026 – Copenhagen Atomics signs a Letter of Intent with Rare Earths Norway to cooperate on thorium extracted from the Fensfeltet deposit, creating a European supply chain for the fuel that will power its 100 MWt heavy‑water‑moderated molten‑salt reactor and lower project risk for clean‑energy uses such as ammonia synthesis, hydrogen production, desalination and process heat[1].
2026‑2027 (planned) – Copenhagen Atomics partners with Switzerland’s Paul Scherrer Institute to install its first nuclear‑fuel‑loaded test reactor, using the validated pump loops and the forthcoming thorium supply to demonstrate waste‑burning and thorium‑breeding in a containerised unit[1][2].
Early 2030s (target) – Copenhagen Atomics targets commercial rollout of mass‑manufactured 100 MWt containerised molten‑salt reactors across Europe, leveraging the secured thorium supply and proven pump technology to deliver electricity at a levelised cost of €20 /MWh while dramatically reducing long‑lived radioactive waste through a four‑stream spent‑fuel separation process[1].