Why Thorium Modular Reactors Could Solve the World’s Energy Crisis

The world is scrambling for safe, scalable, low-carbon energy—with little to show for it so far. However, one overlooked technology may just hold the key. A new video—“Why Thorium is About to Change the World”—makes a compelling case that thorium modular reactors could revolutionize energy, end our fossil fuel addiction, and do it safely and sustainably.

Thorium: Abundant, Safe, Efficient

Thorium is more common than uranium—by 3 to 4 times—and is actually a byproduct of rare-earth mining. As I noted in What the Heck Is Thorium?, thorium has the potential to deliver clean, low-cost power for centuries.

Modern reactor designs take this further:

• Fuel efficiency — A thorium reactor can use up to 99% of its fuel, compared to less than 1% in conventional uranium reactors.

• Built-in safety — Molten salt reactors operate at atmospheric pressure. In a fault, the molten core drains into a passive storage tank—no meltdown, no Fukushima scenario.

• Waste profile — Spent thorium waste decays in a few hundred years, versus 10,000+ years for conventional nuclear waste.

• Proliferation resistant — Thorium cycles don’t produce weapons-grade plutonium, slashing nuclear security risks.

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Momentum Is Building

This isn’t just theory anymore. Progress is happening:

• Copenhagen Atomics is building Europe’s first thorium molten salt reactor, with commercial units targeted by the 2030s.

• India holds the world’s largest thorium reserves (estimated at ~600,000 tonnes) and has made thorium a national energy priority.

• China is already operating a thorium test reactor in the Gobi Desert, with plans to scale up rapidly within the next decade.

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A Cleaner, Smarter Nuclear Future

In my earlier piece, "Thorium Nuclear Update" (2017), I highlighted how thorium was shelved during the Cold War arms race. The tragedy? We pursued uranium because it made bombs, not because it was the best energy source.

Now we know better. The numbers tell the story:

• 1 tonne of thorium = enough energy to power a city of 1 million people for a year

• Australia alone has enough thorium reserves to power the country for hundreds of years.

• Thorium is cheap—less than $100/kg when sourced as a mining byproduct.

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Why This Matters

Thorium modular reactors offer the rare trifecta of safety, sustainability, and scalability.

• Carbon-free power without crushing economies

• Fuel for centuries, not decades

• Safe, stable, affordable electricity that doesn’t wreck landscapes with solar/wind sprawl

If we’re serious about solving the energy crisis without crippling economies or the environment, it’s time to move beyond wishful thinking. Thorium might just be the future we’ve been ignoring for far too long.

👉 Watch the full video below.