Bill Gates-backed firm wins first-ever US permit for 345 MW reactor

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted the first-ever construction permit for a commercial-scale advanced nuclear reactor to TerraPower, a company backed by Bill Gates. The permit covers the Natrium reactor, a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor planned for Kemmerer, Wyoming, near a retiring coal plant. This milestone marks the first time the NRC has approved construction of an advanced nuclear plant, signaling a significant regulatory breakthrough for next-generation nuclear energy in the U.S. TerraPower intends to begin construction soon, aiming for operation in the early 2030s. The Natrium reactor features a unique design that integrates a molten salt-based energy storage system, enabling the plant to boost output from its base 345 MW to 500 MW during peak electricity demand. This capability distinguishes it as the only advanced reactor with built-in grid-scale storage. The reactor will use high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), with U.S. Department of Energy support