Thorizon of the Netherlands has raised EUR12.5 million (USD12.4 million) for the development of a thorium molten salt reactor. Thorizon is a spin-off from the Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group, the organisation that operates the High Flux Reactor in Petten.

The plant, designed by Kairos Power and based at the Materion campus in Elmore, Ohio in the USA, will produce high-purity fluoride salt coolant to be used in high-temperature molten salt reactors.

The UK-headquartered developer of small modular lead-cooled fast reactors, Newcleo, says it has successfully raised EUR300 million (USD316 million) and also announced it has contracted France’s Orano for feasibility studies on the establishment of a mixed plutonium-uranium oxides production plant.

Terrestrial Energy said that the joint technical review of its integral molten salt reactor is an "important step forward" and it "paves the way for further cross-border collaboration".

France's Nuward small modular reactor design will be the case study for a European early joint regulatory review led by the French nuclear safety regulator with the participation of the Czech and Finnish nuclear regulators, EDF has announced.

International collaboration and initiatives to harmonise the regulatory process for new nuclear are of fundamental importance to the safe and successful deployment of small modular reactors across the world, with positive steps already being taken, says Ramzi Jammal, executive vice-president and chief regulatory operations officer for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. He was speaking at World Nuclear Association's fourth CORDEL regional workshop held in Lyon.

There is renewed interest in nuclear power from a decarbonisation and energy security perspective, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said while announcing progress in its 2021 Medium-Term Business Plan, which covers the period FY2021-FY2023. The company said it will continue supporting the restart of Japan's reactors while developing small modular reactors and advanced reactors.

Tractebel is to contribute to the development of France's Nuward small modular reactor project. The Belgian engineering firm will conduct studies for the completion of the conceptual design of "the first SMR in the European Union".

Bruce Power, Constellation, Southern Company and Tennessee Valley Authority have joined Kairos Power Operations, Manufacturing and Development Alliance. The consortium's goal is to advance the development of Kairos Power's advanced fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor technology.

An overnight capital cost of USD2900 per kilowatt for the next AP1000 series in the USA is achievable, according to an independent assessment by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems. The report considers the cost in the context of the experience realised at the Vogtle site in Georgia, where two AP1000 units are under construction.

UK-based innovative reactor developer Newcleo has signed a framework agreement with ENEA - the Italian national agency for new technologies, energy and sustainable economic development - to cooperate on the development of small, lead-cooled fast reactors.

India's fast breeder test reactor has reached its full 40 MWt design power level for the first time, more than 35 years since it first started operating. The test reactor, which has an underpinning role in India's preparation for a thorium-based closed fuel cycle, had previously been limited to 32 MWt.