Molten salt reactor development and licensing

Efforts to advance molten salt reactor technology have progressed through both experimental funding and regulatory engagement. In October 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy approved cost-shared funding for the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE). This project, involving Southern Company, Idaho National Laboratory, and UK-based Core Power, aims to test a fast-spectrum molten chloride salt reactor to provide data for future licensing and commercial applications. Core Power noted the technology could eventually support maritime nuclear propulsion.

By November 2026, Danish developer Saltfoss announced its intent to engage with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding its seaMSR-100 floating power barge. Saltfoss seeks to be the first advanced reactor developer licensed under the NRC’s new Part 53 regulatory framework. The project involves a global supply chain, including manufacturing steel barges via Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea, while planning to conduct reactor assembly and fuel loading at U.S. facilities.