Powering Tomorrow with the Next-Gen Thorium Molten Salt Reactors to Burn Nuclear Wastebroad
Th-MSR · Horizon Europe grant · 2026-01-01–2027-12-31
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-EIC-2025-ACCELERATOR-02 · scheme HORIZON-EIC-ACC · topic HORIZON-EIC-2025-ACCELERATOR-02-OPEN-01. CORDIS record →
Objective
The global energy demand is set to surge by 62-185% by 2050, driven by population growth and economic expansion. Despite being responsible for a staggering 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuels are projected to dominate the energy mix until 2050. Our generation faces a crucial challenge in finding large-scale alternatives to fossil fuels that are affordable, safe, and sustainable.Nuclear energy is instrumental in achieving these ambitions. It is a low-carbon energy source, emitting the lowest amount of CO2/kWh considering total life-cycle emissions of all energy sources.Copenhagen Atomics is developing breakthrough nuclear technology to enable a paradigm shift for green energy. We are pioneering thorium molten salt reactors (Th-MSRs), the Waste Burners, – a groundbreaking solution that burns nuclear waste to generate abundant and cost-effective energy.This next-generation reactor is engineered for faster construction, lower deployment costs, and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional reactors. The Waste Burner fits inside a custom-built 40-foot shipping container and can be mass-manufactured on assembly lines with an expected output of 1 reactor per day (per assembly line) once scale-up has been achieved. Additionally, the waste left behind by the CA reactor only needs to be stored for 300 years above ground, vs. 100,000 years of expensive deep geological storage.The unique value proposition points emphasize industry-leading LCoE €20 per MWh in the mass production stage, lowest all-in CO2 emissions, mass manufacturing feasibility, waste reduction, and walk-away safety. This positions us as potentially the most affordable green electricity source in the 2030s.The Waste Burner presents a disruptive and sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based energy, contributing to the decarbonisation of energy systems, reducing Europe's dependence on fossil fuels, and providing affordable, secure and sustainable energy for Europe.
Beneficiaries (1)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COPENHAGEN ATOMICS AS | DK | coordinator | €2,499,999 | Yes |
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