U.S. Company Could Propel India’s Thorium Energy Vision Forward

Clean Core‘s Thorium Fuel Strategy Gains Traction Amid Global Nuclear Shifts

September 1, 2025

A United States-based company, Clean Core, is positioning itself as a key player in the future of nuclear energy with its focus on thorium fuel. This strategy diverges from conventional approaches and gains momentum as nations reassess their nuclear portfolios.

The Path of Least Resistance

Unlike some competitors, Clean Core has secured regulatory approvals from Indian atomic authorities and the nation’s primary state-owned nuclear company. This positions the company to supply fuel to the majority of India‘s existing nuclear power plants, rather than focusing on the construction of entirely new reactors. This strategic decision underscores a belief that evolutionary advancements, rather than revolutionary ones, will ultimately propel the nuclear industry forward.

Thorium vs.Conventional Nuclear Fuels

Clean Core’s technological path contrasts with both established US nuclear practices and the emerging strategies in china. china recently activated its first thorium-fueled reactor in May 2025,staking a claim in a technology initially developed in the United States but later sidelined. However, scaling thorium technology requires entirely new reactor designs, a costly undertaking.

A recent study by Johns Hopkins University highlighted that China’s success in nuclear construction is largely attributable to standardization and the repeated deployment of established light-water reactor designs. Utilizing thorium within existing heavy-water reactors,as Clean Core proposes,presents a lower barrier to adoption,according to company leaders.

Expanding Beyond Heavy-Water Reactors

Clean Core’s ambitions extend to adapting its fuel for use in the light-water reactors that comprise the entirety of the US nuclear fleet – 94 reactors nationwide. This conversion, though, is not straightforward. The fuel rods for pressurized heavy-water reactors (PHWRs) are approximately 50 centimeters long, while those used in light-water reactors measure around four meters. Additionally, light water traditionally poses challenges due to its absorption of neutrons crucial for initiating thorium fission.

Feature	Pressurized Heavy-Water Reactor (PHWR)	Light-Water Reactor (LWR)
Fuel Rod length	~50 centimeters	~4 meters
Neutron Absorption	Lower	Higher
Complexity of thorium Conversion	Relatively Simpler	More Complex

Did You Know? Thorium is approximately three to four times more abundant in the Earth’s crust than uranium, offering a possibly more sustainable fuel source.

Addressing Proliferation Concerns

For Anil Kakodkar, former chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission and an advisor to Clean Core’s leadership, the promotion of thorium fuel could help correct a complex chapter in India’s nuclear history. Following India’s first nuclear test in 1974, the United States curtailed its efforts to commercialize nuclear waste recycling, fearing the proliferation of weapons-grade materials. Utilizing thorium, kakodkar argues, could provide a pathway for nations seeking atomic power without escalating proliferation risks.

“The concerns surrounding the spread of nuclear weapons will be significantly diminished, facilitating more rapid growth of nuclear power, notably in emerging economies,” Kakodkar stated. “This would be a positive development for the global community.”

The Future of Thorium as a Nuclear Fuel

Interest in thorium as a nuclear fuel source is not new. The technology has been explored for decades, offering several potential advantages, including increased safety, reduced waste, and enhanced proliferation resistance.However, challenges related to fuel fabrication, reactor design, and regulatory frameworks have hindered its widespread adoption.

Global energy demand is projected to increase significantly in the coming decades,driving a renewed focus on nuclear power as a low-carbon energy source. As nations strive to meet climate goals and ensure energy security, the development of advanced nuclear technologies, including thorium-based systems, will likely receive increased attention.

frequently Asked Questions About Thorium Fuel

• what is thorium? Thorium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that can be used as a nuclear fuel.
• Is thorium safer than uranium? Thorium fuel cycles generally produce less plutonium, reducing proliferation risks and potentially enhancing safety.
• Why isn’t thorium used more widely? Overcoming challenges in fuel fabrication,reactor design,and regulatory hurdles has slowed its widespread implementation.
• What are the benefits of thorium fuel? Benefits include greater abundance, potentially reduced waste, and improved safety profiles.
• What role does Clean Core play in the thorium fuel cycle? Clean Core is focusing on developing and supplying thorium fuel for existing reactor types, lowering the barriers to adoption.

What are your thoughts on the potential of thorium fuel to reshape the nuclear energy landscape?

Do you believe increased investment in this technology is crucial for a sustainable energy future?

Share your insights in the comments below!

What specific technological expertise is TerraPower bringing to India’s thorium energy program?

The Promise of Thorium: A Cleaner, Safer Nuclear Future

India’s ambitious thorium energy program has long been touted as a potential game-changer in the global energy landscape. Unlike conventional uranium-based nuclear power, thorium offers several advantages, including greater abundance, reduced nuclear waste, and enhanced proliferation resistance. However, realizing this vision requires overcoming significant technological hurdles. Now, a U.S.-based company, TerraPower, is stepping into the arena, potentially providing the crucial expertise to unlock India’s thorium potential. This collaboration focuses on advanced reactor designs, specifically Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs), which are uniquely suited to utilize thorium fuel.

TerraPower’s Role and the Molten Salt Reactor Technology

TerraPower, founded by Bill Gates, is a leading innovator in nuclear technology.Their expertise lies in developing next-generation reactors that address the limitations of traditional nuclear power. MSRs, the core of their collaboration with India, operate differently than conventional reactors.

Here’s a breakdown of how MSRs work and why they’re ideal for thorium:

Liquid Fuel: Instead of solid fuel rods, MSRs use liquid fuel – a mixture of thorium or uranium dissolved in molten salt.

Enhanced Safety: The liquid fuel operates at lower pressures,considerably reducing the risk of meltdowns. The inherent physics of the reactor design allows for passive safety features.

Waste Reduction: MSRs can consume existing nuclear waste and produce significantly less long-lived radioactive waste compared to traditional reactors.

Thorium Utilization: MSRs are exceptionally efficient at utilizing thorium, converting it into fissile uranium-233, the fuel that powers the reactor.

TerraPower’s involvement isn’t about building a reactor for India, but rather collaborating on the design and development of the technology, fostering indigenous capabilities. This knowledge transfer is a critical component of the agreement.

India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Program and Thorium’s Place Within It

India’s nuclear energy program is structured around a three-stage process designed to leverage it’s abundant thorium reserves.

1. Stage 1: Utilizing natural uranium to produce plutonium. This stage is currently operational.
2. Stage 2: Using plutonium to breed uranium-233 from thorium. this stage is partially operational with breeder reactors like the Fast Breeder reactor (FBR) at Kalpakkam.
3. Stage 3: employing uranium-233 as the primary fuel in thorium reactors. This is the ultimate goal,and where MSR technology,aided by TerraPower,becomes pivotal.

The challenge lies in efficiently breeding enough uranium-233 to fuel a large-scale thorium-based energy system.msrs offer a pathway to overcome this hurdle, providing a more efficient and sustainable breeding cycle.

Challenges and Opportunities in Thorium Reactor Development

Despite the promise, several challenges remain in deploying thorium-based nuclear energy:

Uranium-233 Handling: Uranium-233 is contaminated with uranium-232, which emits strong gamma radiation, making handling and reprocessing more complex.

Materials Science: Molten salts are corrosive,requiring the development of specialized materials that can withstand the harsh operating environment.

Regulatory Framework: Existing nuclear regulations are largely geared towards conventional reactors. New frameworks are needed to accommodate the unique characteristics of MSRs.

Initial Investment: Developing and deploying MSR technology requires substantial upfront investment.

However, the opportunities are immense:

Energy Security: Reducing India’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Clean Energy Transition: Providing a carbon-free energy source to combat climate change.

Economic Growth: Creating high-skilled jobs in the nuclear energy sector.

Global Leadership: Positioning India as a leader in advanced nuclear technology.

The U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement: A Foundation for Collaboration

The U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement, signed in 2008, laid the groundwork for increased cooperation in the nuclear energy sector.This agreement removed decades-long restrictions on nuclear trade between the two countries, paving the way for collaborations like the TerraPower partnership. The agreement facilitates the exchange of knowledge, technology, and materials, accelerating the development of advanced nuclear technologies in India.

Benefits of Thorium Energy: A Deeper Dive

Beyond the core advantages, thorium energy offers several additional benefits:

Proliferation Resistance: Thorium fuel cycle is more resistant to nuclear weapons proliferation compared to the uranium-plutonium cycle.

Resource Availability: Thorium is significantly more abundant than uranium, ensuring a long-term fuel supply.india possesses substantial thorium reserves, particularly in coastal sands.

Reduced Waste Volume: While thorium reactors still produce nuclear waste, the volume and radiotoxicity are significantly lower than those from conventional reactors.

Potential for Hybrid Systems: MSRs can be designed to operate in hybrid modes, utilizing both thorium and uranium fuels, providing versatility and optimizing performance.

Real-World Examples and Ongoing Research

while large-scale thorium reactors are not yet operational, significant research and development efforts are underway globally:

* Molten Salt Reactor Experiments (MSRE): Oak Ridge