Energy is one of the most important criteria in the world and we can say that it is the most important requirement of every function. Without energy, there can be no production, and it is not even possible to consume the produced materials and commodities. When we look at the old World Wars and even the Gulf War, we see that they were completely aimed at controlling energy deposits (oil). However, now that oil has decreased in the world, renewable energy and nuclear energy have come to the fore. The biggest problem in Nuclear Energy is that the Fission Reaction leaves radioactive residues and carries many dangers, and Uranium is found in limited quantities in the world and is the monopoly of certain states such as the USA. China, as the second largest economy in the world, is perhaps the most intensive producer in the world in terms of production, and energy is very important for the existence of the Chinese Economy. In this sense, China is working very intensively on energy studies and has made very serious progress by making the world’s first thorium reactor at this level and has opened a very important giant curtain in the energy revolution.
Why is Thorium Reactor Important?
Thorium reactors are a type of nuclear reactor proposed as an alternative to traditional uranium-based nuclear reactors in energy production. These reactors use the naturally abundant thorium element, which is less radioactive than uranium. Thorium cannot be used directly as a nuclear fuel; however, it can be converted to uranium-233 by neutron bombardment in a nuclear reactor environment. The uranium-233 isotope produced in this process can then be used for energy production. One of the biggest advantages of thorium reactors is that they produce much less radioactive waste in the nuclear fuel cycle and that this waste is easier to manage in the long term. In addition, the abundance of thorium around the world provides a great advantage for such reactors in terms of energy supply security. China and Turkey have the world’s largest Thorium reserves.
China’s First Thorium Reactor: A Turning Point
China is making major investments in nuclear energy to meet its energy needs and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. As part of these efforts, China commissioned the world’s first thorium-based liquid salt reactor in 2021. This experimental reactor, built in Wuwei, Gansu Province, is designed to evaluate the potential of thorium in energy production and to become a world leader in thorium-based nuclear power generation. China’s thorium reactor has a thermal power generation capacity of approximately 2 megawatts and is initially planned to be used for testing technology and safety systems rather than for electricity generation. The reactor was successfully operated and its performance results were seen in 2024. China has plans to build larger and commercial thorium reactors by 2030. This will contribute to China’s energy independence and mark a turning point in the global transition to thorium-based nuclear energy.
China’s thorium reactor project could have a significant impact on energy policies and nuclear technology development strategies worldwide. Conventional nuclear power generation faces challenges such as security risks, radioactive waste management issues, and nuclear proliferation threats. Thorium reactors have the potential to solve many of these problems. First, the use of thorium results in less radioactive waste being produced and in a shorter half-life. This greatly simplifies radioactive waste management and reduces long-term storage requirements. Additionally, nuclear accidents are less likely in thorium reactors because the reactor design provides automatic shutdown in the event of an emergency.
China’s leadership in this area may encourage other countries to develop thorium reactors. Especially in a world where energy consumption is rapidly increasing and the environmental impacts of fossil fuels are increasingly causing concern, thorium-based nuclear energy stands out as a clean and sustainable energy source. In addition, thorium reactors minimize the production of plutonium that can be used for nuclear weapons production, which can contribute to nuclear disarmament efforts. China’s leadership in this area can determine the direction of global energy policies and technological developments and lead to the widespread use of thorium reactors. Therefore, China’s thorium reactor project is a critical development not only for China but for the entire world. In this way, energy can be produced with fewer radioactive reactors and, more importantly, there will be no dependence on the US for uranium.
Considering that many countries like Turkey and India also have huge Thorium Reserves, it is essential for them to cooperate with China and take part in this energy revolution. In fact, India thorium based nuclear reactor research is also progressing for a similar breakthrough.