Bill Gates-backed 345 MWe advanced nuclear reactor secures crucial US approval

Bill Gates-backed TerraPower’s innovative Natrium reactor project in Wyoming has cleared a critical federal regulatory hurdle. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has successfully completed its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project, known as Kemmerer Unit 1, and found no adverse impacts that would block its construction.

The commission officially recommended that a construction permit be issued to TerraPower subsidiary USO for the facility in Lincoln County. 

This announcement marks a significant milestone, making the Natrium project the first-ever advanced commercial nuclear power plant in the country to successfully complete this rigorous environmental review process.

TerraPower President and CEO Chris Levesque called the NRC’s announcement a “testament” to his team’s commitment to meeting federal licensing requirements.

“The Natrium plant in Wyoming, Kemmerer Unit 1, is now the first advanced reactor technology to successfully complete an environmental impact statement for the NRC, bringing us another step closer to delivering America’s next nuclear power plant,” Levesque said.

Sticking to the plan

With the environmental review complete, the project moves to its next and final regulatory phase before the full permit is granted. TerraPower anticipates the completion of the final safety evaluation by December 31, 2025. 

The company first submitted its construction permit application (CPA) in March 2024, becoming the first developer to do so for a commercial advanced reactor.

The NRC had previously stated its intention to accelerate its review schedule for TerraPower’s application, aiming to complete the process six months earlier than originally envisaged.

The Natrium technology represents a significant departure from traditional light-water reactors. The project features a 345 MWe (megawatts electric) sodium-cooled fast reactor. The first-of-a-kind design utilizes an 840 MW (thermal) pool-type reactor connected to a molten salt-based energy storage system.

This storage technology is the plant’s most unique feature. It is designed to keep the base output steady, ensuring constant reliability, but it also allows the plant to function like a massive battery.

Advanced reactor with unique design

The system can store heat and boost the plant’s output to 500 MWe when demand peaks, allowing it to ramp up power quickly to support the grid. TerraPower says it is the only advanced reactor design with this unique capability.

The Natrium plant is strategically designed to replace electricity generation capacity following the planned retirement of existing coal-fired facilities in the region.

While the regulatory process for the nuclear components continues, construction on the non-nuclear portions of the site already began in June 2024. When completed, the Natrium plant is poised to be the first utility-scale advanced nuclear power plant in the United States.

Earlier, the nuclear energy developer had signed an agreement with ASP Isotopes to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to help the development of the next generation of nuclear power plants in the US.

Under the agreement, TerraPower will invest in the construction of a HALEU enrichment facility in South Africa, utilizing ASP Isotopes’ innovative laser-based enrichment technology. 

In return, TerraPower will purchase HALEU produced at the facility, securing a vital resource for its Natrium reactors.