Türkiye has taken a significant step towards harnessing its thorium resources by signing a memorandum of understanding with Danish firm Copenhagen Atomics. The partnership, established through the Türkiye Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency (TENMAK), aims to explore advanced nuclear technologies, with a particular focus on thorium compounds for next-generation reactors. This collaboration seeks to leverage Türkiye’s thorium reserves to develop nuclear-grade materials suitable for molten salt reactors, marking a pivotal move in its energy landscape.
The agreement highlights research, development, and project design as core areas of cooperation, with the goal of producing thorium compounds domestically. By involving Turkish technology companies, industrial firms, and researchers, the partnership aspires to cultivate high-value nuclear technologies within the country. Copenhagen Atomics, known for its fourth-generation molten salt reactor technology and innovative “Onion Core” concept, will evaluate its technology against Türkiye’s existing research infrastructure and industrial capabilities.
Türkiye’s strategic interest in thorium technology stems from its potential to reduce reliance on imported nuclear fuel. The nation is actively expanding its nuclear energy capacity alongside renewable energy initiatives, with plans to develop both large-scale reactors and smaller modular reactors. By 2050, Türkiye aims to achieve 15 gigawatts of conventional nuclear capacity and an additional 5 gigawatts from small modular reactors. Its inaugural nuclear facility, the Akkuyu power plant, will feature four reactors totaling 4,800 megawatts.
Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar emphasized the significance of the collaboration, noting that Copenhagen Atomics’ technology could effectively utilize Türkiye’s abundant thorium reserves. He expressed optimism that this partnership would pave the way for commercially viable nuclear technology, bolstering the country’s energy independence and technological advancement. As Türkiye pursues these ambitious goals, the cooperation with Copenhagen Atomics represents a promising avenue for sustainable and innovative energy solutions.