An alliance between US-based reactor developer Terrestrial Energy and British energy firm Viaro Energy has reached a key assessment phase. The companies are working to bring advanced Integral Molten Salt Reactor technology to heavy industrial facilities and fast-growing artificial intelligence data centers.
The two partners are now evaluating regulatory, economic, policy, and siting requirements. Their goal is to identify commercial locations and global markets where modular reactors can supply firm, zero-carbon power and high-temperature heat.
The initiative comes as energy-intensive industries face mounting pressure to eliminate carbon emissions without sacrificing reliability. “Gas has historically supplied the heat and electricity required for refineries and petrochemical plants, as well as offshore production platforms, because it has been a reliable energy source,” noted a press release. “With pressure to reduce industrial carbon emissions, finding a replacement has been challenging.”
Facing serious technical hurdles
However, replacing that supply with intermittent wind and solar power presents serious technical hurdles. As noted by the International Atomic Energy Agency, relying solely on weather-dependent renewables requires a massive expansion of the power grid.
This risks grid instability and drives up system-firming costs, which potentially limits industrial growth.
Advanced nuclear reactors operate without direct carbon emissions and carry one of the lowest lifecycle carbon footprints of any energy source.
Because small modular reactors (SMRs) and micro modular reactors (MMRs) can be built near factories, they offer continuous power while shielding operators from volatile fuel prices and grid failures.
Commercial applications for advanced nuclear
US technology developers are increasingly tailoring reactor designs for industrial customers rather than traditional electric utilities. Alongside Terrestrial Energy, Houston-based developer ZettaJoule is designing its first commercial small modular reactor specifically to deliver heat and electricity to oil and gas operations.
Broader industry momentum is accelerating through the Industrial Advanced Nuclear Consortium. It is a group founded last year by major oil, gas, mining, and steel corporations. Rather than waiting for developers to design reactors in isolation, the consortium brings industrial end users together. This collaboration allows them to clearly define their specific operational needs.
“The consortium recently published a report identifying four application scenarios of greatest potential: maritime heat and power; nuclear cogeneration for refining, petrochemicals and LNG; remote power and heat for oil and gas and mining; and electricity-intensive industrial loads,” explained the press release.
Shift toward low-carbon infrastructure
For Viaro Energy, which accounts for up to 9% of UK gross gas production at peak output, the partnership reflects a shift toward resilient, low-carbon infrastructure.
“Advanced nuclear has the potential to transform the relationship between energy production and industrial demand,” said Francesco Mazzagatti, Chief Executive of Viaro Energy. “Its ability to provide continuous, low-carbon electricity and industrial heat makes it particularly compelling for sectors where reliability, scale and energy security are non-negotiable.”
Mazzagatti emphasized that decarbonization and energy security must reinforce each other, noting that modular nuclear power can support both legacy industrial plants and the soaring energy appetites of modern computing.