Türkiye has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Copenhagen Atomics, a Danish nuclear technology company, to explore the potential of thorium-based nuclear technologies. This collaboration, facilitated by the Türkiye Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency (TENMAK), aims to harness the country’s thorium resources for the development of advanced nuclear reactors.
The partnership will primarily focus on the research, development, and design of projects related to the production of nuclear-grade thorium compounds. These compounds are intended for use in molten salt reactors, a technology being developed by Copenhagen Atomics through their modular “Onion Core” concept. The agreement also seeks to involve Turkish technology companies, industrial firms, and researchers to advance these high-value nuclear technologies.
Copenhagen Atomics will evaluate its molten salt reactor technology against Türkiye’s existing research infrastructure, workforce, and industrial capabilities. This initiative is in line with Türkiye’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on imported nuclear fuel by utilizing its own thorium resources. In addition to expanding nuclear energy, Türkiye is also committed to increasing its renewable energy capacity.
Türkiye has set ambitious targets for its nuclear energy sector, aiming for 15 gigawatts of conventional nuclear capacity and an additional 5 gigawatts from small modular reactors by 2050. The country’s first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, is currently under development and will feature four reactors with a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts.
Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar emphasized the significance of this cooperation, noting that Copenhagen Atomics’ technology could leverage the abundant thorium resources in Türkiye. He expressed optimism that the partnership would eventually lead to the development of commercially viable nuclear technologies.