Türkiye has begun cooperating with Denmark-based Copenhagen Atomics to harness its thorium resources in next-generation nuclear technologies. The memorandum of understanding was signed in the presence of Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar.
The agreement provides for work to produce thorium compounds using domestic capabilities. The initiative aims to involve domestic industry and technology stakeholders, as well as researchers, and to harness thorium resources in high-value-added nuclear technologies.
Research and development on molten salt reactors
One of the priority areas will be research, development and project design aimed at producing thorium in Türkiye for use in next-generation nuclear reactors and molten salt reactors.
By producing thorium compounds that meet nuclear fuel standards using domestic capabilities, Türkiye aims to become an internationally competitive supplier in this field.
Copenhagen Atomics is working on molten salt reactors, one of the fourth-generation reactor concepts that could enable thorium to be used in the nuclear fuel cycle. Within the framework of its cooperation with TENMAK, the company will assess its modular molten salt reactor concept, called “Onion Core,” in terms of Türkiye’s research infrastructure, human resources and industrial capabilities.
Bayraktar: Thorium fuel is gaining prominence
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Bayraktar said that, alongside large-scale reactors, small modular reactors had also been developing rapidly in recent years. Bayraktar said many countries were working to develop these technologies and noted that different projects were being pursued in parallel in Türkiye, with public institutions and investors carrying out joint efforts.
Bayraktar said the incentive program of the Ministry of Industry and Technology had increased interest in the technology field, adding that which technologies would advance and be commercialized would become clear over the next few years.
Bayraktar said thorium fuel stood out in Copenhagen Atomics’ small modular reactor technology. He said thorium, which is reported to be found in significant quantities in Türkiye, could be an option for reducing external dependence in the fuel sector, and expressed hope that the cooperation would eventually develop into a product that could be commercialized.
