SMR and Molten Salt Reactor Projects Advance in Poland, US and Europe

· Climate · Poland · United States

Several advanced nuclear projects moved forward in the last two days. In Poland, state-owned SGE and ZE Pak agreed to form a joint venture to develop a nuclear power plant in Pątnów featuring up to six BWRX-300 small modular reactors. In the United States, the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment secured cost-shared funding from the Department of Energy under its Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, targeting first criticality in 2027. In the Netherlands, molten salt reactor developer Thorizon and research body TNO launched a materials and corrosion program to qualify materials for molten salt reactors. Separately, a World Nuclear News viewpoint argued that ASEAN's fragmented national regulatory frameworks, limited expertise and financing uncertainty could delay SMR deployment, calling for regulatory convergence across the region. Together the developments reflect continued momentum for smaller, factory-built reactors as a lower-cost alternative to large nuclear plants.

Why it matters：Small modular and molten salt reactors are central to plans for decarbonizing power while meeting rising electricity demand, and progress on financing and materials qualification determines whether they reach commercial deployment this decade.

Key points

  • Poland's SGE and ZE Pak will jointly develop a plant with up to six BWRX-300 SMRs at Pątnów.
  • The US Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment aims for first criticality in 2027 with DOE cost-shared funding.
  • Thorizon and TNO launched a molten salt reactor materials and corrosion program.

Sources (original reporting)

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