Türkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has finalized an agreement with Denmark’s Copenhagen Atomics to progress the application of thorium within next-generation nuclear systems. Through the Türkiye Energy, Nuclear and Mining Research Agency (TENMAK), the nation aims to leverage its significant reserves of thorium as nuclear fuel material. This collaboration focuses on integrating Turkish industrial partners and research teams into the development of next-generation nuclear technologies.
Research and Implementation of Thorium Energy Development
A primary objective of this partnership involves research and project development to enable the production of thorium within the country for use in advanced reactor designs, such as molten salt configurations. The project intends to facilitate the creation of domestic thorium compounds that adhere to international nuclear fuel standards, potentially positioning the country as a global supplier.
Copenhagen Atomics is currently engineering fourth-generation molten salt reactor technology capable of utilizing thorium in the fuel cycle. Their proprietary modular design, known as the “Onion Core,” will be evaluated alongside the research infrastructure and industrial capabilities of Türkiye.
Strategic Goals for National Nuclear Technology
“In small modular reactors, thorium fuel stands out in Copenhagen Atomics’ technology,” Bayraktar said.
He highlighted Türkiye’s substantial thorium resources as a key factor behind the cooperation, noting that the technology could reduce reliance on foreign fuel supplies.
The minister said he hoped the partnership would ultimately result in a commercial product, while emphasizing that its focus on thorium distinguishes it from other initiativesregarding nuclear technologies.
Leveraging Reserves for Reactor Fuel
Official data places Türkiye sixth globally regarding identified thorium resources. Significant reserves have been identified in the following locations:
- Eskisehir-Sivrihisar: 380,141 tons of 0.02% grade reserves, with an additional 694 million tons of thorium-bearing material identified.
- Malatya-Kuluncak: 3.8 million tons of thorium-bearing material.
The initiative aligns with broader plans to integrate small modular reactors into the national power grid. The government intends to establish a legal framework for this sector to support the ambition of producing and exporting nuclear technologies. By 2035, the country aims for 7.2 GW of nuclear capacity, with a target of at least 20 GW by 2050. This expansion includes approximately 5 GW of capacity specifically from small modular reactors to complement large-scale plants.
Another recent development in Türkiye’s nuclear energy ambitions came during the recent talks with Russia to expand nuclear energy partnership between the two countries.
