TerraPower's 345 MWe advanced nuclear reactor clears crucial hurdle

TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, has achieved a major regulatory milestone for its 345 MWe Natrium advanced nuclear reactor project in Wyoming. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Kemmerer Unit 1 facility and found no adverse impacts that would prevent construction. This makes Natrium the first advanced commercial nuclear power plant in the U.S. to successfully clear the NRC’s rigorous environmental review. The NRC has recommended issuing a construction permit, moving the project closer to final approval, with the safety evaluation expected to conclude by the end of 2025. The Natrium reactor features a novel design, combining an 840 MW thermal sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt energy storage system. This unique configuration allows the plant to maintain steady base output while also functioning like a large battery, boosting power output to 500 MWe during peak demand. The plant aims to replace retiring coal-fired power capacity in the region