Articles tagged with "TerraPower"
Bill Gates’ TerraPower gets approval to build new nuclear reactor
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted TerraPower, a nuclear startup founded by Bill Gates in 2015, approval to build its Natrium nuclear reactor in Wyoming near an aging coal power plant. This marks the first NRC permit for a new nuclear reactor in nearly a decade. The Natrium reactor is designed in partnership with GE Vernova Hitachi and will generate 345 megawatts—smaller than typical modern reactors but larger than many small modular reactors. Notably, Natrium uses molten sodium for cooling instead of water, a first for commercial reactors approved by the NRC in over 40 years. This design allows the reactor to store excess heat in molten sodium tanks, enabling energy to be saved during low demand and used to supplement intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, potentially lowering generation costs. TerraPower’s approval is significant because it followed the NRC’s traditional permitting process for private land, unlike some projects on Department of Energy property that follow different regulations. The company is among
energynuclear-reactorTerraPowermolten-sodium-coolingsmall-modular-reactorsenergy-storageclean-energy-technologyBill 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
energynuclear-energyadvanced-reactorsTerraPowerenergy-storagemolten-salt-storageNatrium-reactorMeta makes nuclear reactor history with 6.6 GW energy deal to power AI
Meta has made a historic move by securing up to 6.6 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear energy through agreements with Oklo, TerraPower, and Vistra, positioning itself as one of the largest corporate purchasers of nuclear power in U.S. history. This energy will provide the reliable, carbon-free electricity needed to power Meta’s next-generation AI infrastructure, including its Prometheus supercluster in Ohio. The initiative reflects Meta’s strategic shift toward advanced nuclear technologies to meet the substantial energy demands of AI development, aiming to support America’s leadership in AI while promoting clean energy. The partnerships cover three key areas: TerraPower, founded by Bill Gates, will develop Natrium reactors generating up to 690 MW by 2032, with rights to additional units totaling 2.8 GW plus 1.2 GW of energy storage; Oklo will advance an advanced nuclear campus in Ohio with up to 1.2 GW of power from Aurora Powerhouse fast reactors by 2030;
energynuclear-energyMetaAI-infrastructureTerraPowerOkloclean-energyBill Gates-backed nuclear reactor gets construction approval in hurry
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted expedited construction approval for a $10 billion, 345-megawatt experimental sodium-cooled fast reactor called Natrium, designed by TerraPower, a company co-founded by Bill Gates. The permit application, submitted in March 2024, was originally slated for review completion in August 2026 but was accelerated to meet an 18-month timeline mandated by a Trump-era executive order. This rush, driven by political pressure from Congress and the White House, has drawn criticism from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), which argues that the NRC compromised its safety review obligations by curtailing the evaluation and potentially overlooking unresolved safety issues. Critics, including UCS nuclear safety director Dr. Edwin Lyman, warn that the Natrium reactor design has significant safety concerns, such as the use of liquid sodium coolant, which is highly flammable, and inherent reactor instabilities that could cause rapid, uncontrolled power increases. Additionally, the
energynuclear-reactorTerraPowerBill-Gatessodium-cooled-reactornuclear-safetyadvanced-reactorsTerraPower'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
energynuclear-poweradvanced-reactormolten-salt-energy-storagesodium-cooled-fast-reactorTerraPowerNatrium-reactorBill Gates-backed TerraPower eyes Utah for 345 MW nuclear reactor
Bill Gates-backed TerraPower has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Utah Office of Energy Development and land developer Flagship Companies to identify potential sites in Utah for building a 345 MW Natrium nuclear reactor and energy storage plant. The collaboration aims to support Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox’s Operation Gigawatt initiative, which seeks to develop a diverse and reliable energy ecosystem for Utah and the western United States. The site selection process, expected to yield a preliminary list by the end of 2025, will consider factors such as community support, site characteristics, licensing feasibility, and infrastructure access. TerraPower’s Natrium reactor is a sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system, capable of boosting its output from 345 MW to 500 MW depending on demand. This advanced design uses significantly less water than traditional light water reactors and small modular reactors, making it suitable for water-constrained regions like the Mountain West. TerraPower is currently building the first Nat
energynuclear-reactorTerraPowerNatrium-reactorenergy-storageclean-energyadvanced-nuclear-technologyBill Gates backs nuclear-powered ships in new push with HD Hyundai
HD Hyundai, South Korea’s leading shipbuilder, is strengthening its partnership with Bill Gates’ nuclear energy startup TerraPower to advance small modular reactor (SMR) technology, particularly for marine applications. Executive Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun met with Gates in Seoul to discuss collaboration on TerraPower’s Natrium reactor, a fourth-generation sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) design known for high thermal efficiency, enhanced safety, and up to 40% reduced nuclear waste compared to conventional reactors. This meeting followed a March agreement to build a manufacturing and supply network for Natrium reactors, including a planned 345-megawatt reactor in Wyoming for which HD Hyundai will supply the reactor vessel. HD Hyundai had previously invested $30 million in TerraPower, underscoring its commitment to this technology. HD Hyundai views SMRs as a crucial component of the future global energy mix and aims to develop marine nuclear propulsion systems, including SMRs and hydrogen fuel cells, with a planned investment of about $215 million
energynuclear-energysmall-modular-reactorsSMRTerraPowerHD-HyundaishipbuildingUS: 345 MW nuclear reactor to get fast-track construction permit
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is expediting its review of TerraPower’s construction license application for the Natrium advanced nuclear reactor project, aiming to complete the safety and environmental evaluation by the end of 2025—eight months earlier than the previously scheduled August 2026. This project, backed by Bill Gates, represents the first utility-scale advanced nuclear power plant in the United States and involves building a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor with a patented molten salt-based energy storage system in Kemmerer, Wyoming, on a retiring coal plant site. The storage technology can boost output to 500 MW when needed, and the plant is expected to be operational by 2031. The accelerated timeline is attributed to frequent collaboration between the NRC and TerraPower, though it depends on TerraPower’s timely resolution of outstanding issues. TerraPower was the first to submit a construction permit application for a commercial advanced reactor in March 2024. The NRC has already shortened the review
energynuclear-poweradvanced-reactorTerraPowerNatrium-projectenergy-storagesodium-cooled-fast-reactorNvidia wants in on the nuclear renaissance, invests in Bill-Gates backed TerraPower
Nvidia has made its first energy sector investment through its venture arm, NVentures, by participating in a funding round for TerraPower, a nuclear startup backed by Bill Gates and HD Hyundai. TerraPower is developing its Natrium reactor, designed to generate 345 megawatts of electricity, which positions it between large conventional reactors and smaller modular reactors. Unlike traditional water-cooled reactors, Natrium uses molten sodium as a coolant and incorporates a significant amount of sodium to store heat when electricity demand is low. This stored heat can then be used to generate electricity during peak demand, enabling the reactor to operate steadily while helping to balance intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind. TerraPower initially pursued a different reactor design but shifted to the Natrium design due to uncertainties. The company claims it can complete a reactor within three years after starting concrete work, although substantial site preparation is still required. While the Natrium reactor is expected to be cheaper than recent U.S. nuclear projects, costs remain high
energynuclear-powerTerraPowerNatrium-reactormolten-sodiumsmall-modular-reactorsenergy-storageNvidia joins Gates-backed nuclear startup to power AI’s energy needs
Nvidia has invested in TerraPower, a nuclear energy company founded by Bill Gates, through its venture arm NVentures as part of a $650 million funding round. This strategic move aims to address the rapidly growing energy demands of AI-driven data centers, whose electricity consumption is expected to more than double by 2030. TerraPower develops advanced small modular reactors (SMRs), including its flagship Natrium project in Wyoming, which features a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor paired with a gigawatt-scale molten salt energy storage system. This design allows for flexible, carbon-free power generation that can complement intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. TerraPower is progressing toward commercial operation of the Natrium plant by 2030, with non-nuclear construction already underway. The company has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Sabey Data Centers to explore supplying nuclear energy directly to the data center industry, marking a significant early collaboration between advanced nuclear developers and major tech infrastructure operators.
energynuclear-energyAI-energy-needsTerraPowersmall-modular-reactorsdata-centerscarbon-free-energy