US Supercharges Molten Chloride Reactor Project, Criticality Targeted for 2027
Context mode is active. Hover over any highlighted term to see its definition. Click a nested term to go deeper.
The US Department of Energy has just greenlit crucial funding for the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE), pushing this cutting-edge nuclear project closer to a major milestone: achieving 'first criticality' as early as 2027. This move, announced in mid-October 2026, aims to unlock vital real-world data on how these advanced reactors perform, moving beyond computer models alone. It marks a significant step for a technology that promises to revolutionize clean energy. This funding boost, channeled through the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, brings together a powerful team: Southern Company as the lead, Idaho National Laboratory providing the expertise and facility, and CORE POWER looking to apply this tech to industrial and maritime uses. The MCRE is designed to be the world's first fast-spectrum molten chloride salt reactor experiment to achieve sustained nuclear fission. The data collected will be key for designing, licensing, and commercially deploying future advanced reactors, including those for powering ships and industrial processes. With criticality targeted for next year, the project is expected to deliver critical insights into fuel behavior and reactor operation. The successful production of uranium chloride fuel salt by INL in 2025 set the stage for this accelerated phase. Experts believe this technology, with its 'walk-away-safe' design and potential to use existing nuclear waste, could offer a safer, more efficient, and sustainable path to a low-carbon future, reducing reliance on fossil fuels globally.