Terrestrial Energy pitches phased licensing to speed 390 MW IMSR reactor

Terrestrial Energy has filed its Thermal and Electric Facility Topical Report with the US NRC, proposing a bifurcated model where non-nuclear components are built under commercial codes while only the reactor follows full nuclear licensing. The approach targets faster deployment of its 390 MWe IMSR plant, including a planned unit at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

• TEF report proposes building the turbine complex before full nuclear licensing
• Planned IMSR capacity at Aberdeen Proving Ground is 390 MWe
• Reactor runs at atmospheric pressure on standard-assay LEU fuel
• NRC has already approved the baseline design and safety criteria