The EU’s Just Transition Fund is supporting Zeeland-based consortium led by Thorizon to advance clean energy and industrial decarbonisation (Image source: Thorizon)

The European Union has awarded €10m ($11.7m) from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to Project ZILT, a consortium led by Dutch-French start-up Thorizon, a developer of molten salt small modular reactors (SMRs). The project brings together EPZ (operator of the Borssele NPP), Zeeland-based manufacturers Schelde Exotech and Delmeco, and regional institutions HZ University of Applied Sciences and Scalda Vocational & Technical School. The partners will lay the groundwork for the first molten salt reactor in the Netherlands. The project has been developed with the support of regional development agency Impuls Zeeland.

In March, Thorizon, a spin-off from the Nuclear Research & Consultancy Group (NRG), secured funding to accelerate the development of its advanced SMR, Thorizon One. The 100 MWe/250 MWt Thorizon One molten salt reactor design will use long-lived nuclear waste as fuel. In 2024, Thorizon and France’s Stellaria, in a consortium with Orano, were selected as winners of the call for projects to develop molten salt reactors under France’s 2030 Innovative Reactor Programme. Thorizon aims to launch construction of the reactor in 2030.

By developing this technology in Zeeland, with its nuclear know-how, manufacturing base, and committed knowledge institutions, Project ZILT aims to create a solid foundation for future advanced nuclear deployment across Europe. Project ZILT will deliver key building blocks for Thorizon’s MSR deployment in Zeeland and Europe, including:

  • Civil concept design and cost estimate, preparing for future construction;
  • Exploration of a non-nuclear test facility at nuclear operator EPZ in Borssele;
  • Design and testing of reactor components with Zeeland-based manufacturers Schelde Exotech and Delmeco;
  • Applied research and education through HZ University of Applied Sciences and Scalda.

Thorizon CEO Kiki Lauwers noted: “With Project ZILT we are laying the foundation for the first molten salt reactor in Zeeland. Our SMR can deliver both electricity and high-temperature heat, which are essential for industrial decarbonisation. Zeeland offers the right conditions: EPZ’s nuclear expertise, a strong manufacturing base, and committed knowledge institutions. We now invite new partners to join us, so we can prepare together for construction and future European deployment.”