US-based nuclear technology company Terrestrial Energy and UK-based Viaro Energy have signed a partnership to develop an Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) project in the UK.
The two companies said they will work on the deployment of Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR plant technology for a range of potential industrial applications, including powering data centres for AI.
These applications currently rely on fossil fuels to drive energy-intensive processes, for which an IMSR plant offers a “scalable, carbon-free replacement”, Terrestrial Energy said.
Viaro, which has interests in oil and gas projects in the North Sea, and Terrestrial Energy will initially evaluate siting, regulatory, macroeconomic and policy factors to confirm the viability of the project, before proceeding to identification of target sites, followed by detailed evaluation and site selection.
The two companies intend to form a joint venture for the delivery of the IMSR plant project in the UK, with Viaro providing the infrastructure and investment for the deployment and Terrestrial Energy leading the nuclear system development and procurement activities.
The companies anticipate the project will reach a final investment decision in 2030.
The IMSR is a Generation-IV nuclear power plant technology using a molten salt fuel and coolant.