Due to their excellent safety features and ability to supply high-temperature heat, HTGRs are expected to play a major role as an energy source contributing to decarbonization toward carbon neutrality in 2050, through hydrogen production and steam supply.

Aiming to contribute to net-zero emissions through early deployment of HTGRs, JAEA promotes the safety demonstration tests by using HTTR (High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor) and the five projects: HTTR-Heat Application Test, Japanese HTGR Demonstration Reactor Development Programme, HTGR Demonstration Reactor Programme in the UK, HTGR Fuel Development Programme in the UK, and HTGR Research Reactor Basic Design in Poland.