Terrestrial Energy shares surged 30.33% pre-market Jan. 7 after OTA agreement with Department of Energy accelerates IMSR commercialization

Terrestrial Energy’s shares surged 30.329% in pre-market trading on January 7, 2026, following a major development in its nuclear reactor initiative.

The company executed an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for Project TETRA, a pilot reactor designed to advance its Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) technology. The agreement allows Terrestrial to bypass traditional federal contracting constraints, enabling a streamlined pathway from design to operation under DOE authorization. This collaboration is expected to accelerate commercialization of IMSR plants, which utilize standard assay low-enriched uranium (SALEU) fuel—reducing reliance on HALEU and enhancing supply chain flexibility.

Project TETRA’s graphite-moderated, molten salt-fueled reactor is a critical step toward deploying 822 MWth (390 MWe) IMSR plants by the early 2030s. The reactor’s high-temperature design supports efficient electricity generation and industrial heat applications, positioning Terrestrial to address energy demands in manufacturing, data centers, and other sectors. CEO Simon Irish emphasized the agreement aligns with the company’s strategic goals, enabling faster licensing and demonstrating its leadership in advanced reactor innovation.

The OTA, authorized under Executive Order 14301, complements Terrestrial’s September 2025 selection for the DOE Fuel Line Pilot Program. Together, these initiatives strengthen the company’s position in the U.S. advanced reactor sector by bridging pilot testing and commercial deployment. The move underscores growing federal support for small modular reactor technologies as part of broader decarbonization efforts.