Larsen & Toubro and Clean Core Thorium Energy announce Strategic Partnership in Clean Energy
- 18 October 2024

²Ń³Ü³¾²ś²¹¾±:ĢżLarsen & Toubro (¹śĀé¶¹ŹÓʵ;T), Indiaās leading technology-powered conglomerate offering solutions in sectors of national importance, and Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE), a US-based advanced nuclear fuel company, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on providing efficient solutions globally in clean energy through the CCTEās patented ANEEL⢠fuel (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life). The ANEEL⢠fuel will promote clean energy, non-proliferation, enhanced safety, decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries and circular economy.Ā
The ANEEL⢠fuel is made of thorium and enriched uranium developed for use in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR), Canada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) Reactors and Advanced Nuclear Reactors. Proliferation-resistant ANEEL⢠fuel is expected to significantly reduce life-cycle operating costs and the waste produced (by over 85% while improving safety due to its Accident- Tolerant Fuel characteristics). Also, the ANEEL⢠fuel will offer added advantage of energy security by large scale deployment of thorium and reduce uranium consumption.Ā
At a signing ceremony held in Mumbai, ¹śĀé¶¹ŹÓʵ;T and CCTE jointly stated that the mission of this partnership is to accelerate nuclear power deployment globally, particularly in developing countries which require large amount of carbon-free electricity for their growth.Ā
On the occasion, Mr Anil Parab (Whole-time Director & Sr Executive Vice President, Heavy Engineering and ¹śĀé¶¹ŹÓʵ;T Valves) said,Ā āIn view of increasing demand for nuclear energy across the globe, we are in the process of identifying new opportunities to offer āOne Stop Solutionsā to our customers. Establishing a world-class supply chain for ANEEL⢠fuel, by leveraging ¹śĀé¶¹ŹÓʵ;Tās manufacturing prowess, is a step in that direction. ¹śĀé¶¹ŹÓʵ;T will support CCTE within the purview of the Indian legal framework.āĀ
Mr. Mehul Shah, Founder and CEO of CCTE, said:Ā āIn partnering with a market leader like ¹śĀé¶¹ŹÓʵ;T with specialised expertise in engineering and manufacturing, we can realise our vision of sustainable clean and safe energy through the deployment of ANEEL⢠fuel globally. This partnership will activate Indo-US civil nuclear co-operation signed back in 2008.āĀ
Under a Strategic Partnership Project Agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE), CCTEās ANEEL⢠fuel is currently undergoing accelerated irradiation testing and qualification in the Advanced Test Reactor at Idaho National Lab, and is on its way to achieving planned burn-up targets of up to 60 GWd/T. Clean Core has also been actively partnering and engaging with key industry players including regulators, utilities and suppliers to achieve the successful commercialisation of the ANEEL⢠fuel by 2026.Ā
Larsen & Toubro is a USD 27 billion Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing, and Services. It operates in over 50 countries worldwide. A strong, customerāfocused approach and the constant quest for top-class quality have enabled ¹śĀé¶¹ŹÓʵ;T to attain and sustain leadership in its major lines of business for eight decades.Ā