US' first liquid-fueled Gen IV nuclear reactor set for 2026 deployment

US-based Natura Resources is set to deploy the first Generation IV liquid-fueled molten salt reactor (LF-MSR) in the United States by 2026, marking a significant milestone in advanced nuclear energy. The company’s 1-megawatt MSR-1 system, located at Abilene Christian University (ACU), received a construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in September 2024. Natura Resources has secured key milestones including the NRC license, a completed reactor facility, fuel commitments from the Department of Energy (DOE), and strong support from Texas, positioning it as the frontrunner in Gen IV reactor deployment. The DOE’s Idaho National Lab also projects Natura’s MSR-1 as the first Gen IV reactor deployment in the US. The LF-MSR design uses molten salt as both fuel and coolant, operating at high temperatures and low pressure, which enhances safety and efficiency compared to conventional solid-fuel reactors. This technology can recycle waste fuel, produce