The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a construction permit for an advanced nuclear reactor project being developed by a subsidiary of TerraPower, the nuclear technology company founded by Bill Gates.
.jpg)
The approval marks the first time in nearly a decade that the NRC has authorized construction of a commercial nuclear reactor in the United States. The project involves a 345-megawatt power plant planned near a retiring coal facility in Kemmerer, Wyoming.
The facility, known as Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1, is expected to provide electricity to the grid operated by PacifiCorp, with completion targeted for 2030.
The NRC said that after a streamlined mandatory hearing process, it authorized its Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation to issue the permit, “having found the staff’s review of the Kemmerer application adequate to make the necessary regulatory safety and environmental findings. The staff expects to issue the permit soon.”
The reactor project is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, which supports development of next-generation nuclear energy technologies.
The plant will use TerraPower’s Natrium reactor design, a sodium-cooled fast reactor paired with a molten salt-based energy storage system. The technology was co-developed with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy.
According to TerraPower, the integrated storage system allows the facility to boost power output to 500 MW during periods of high electricity demand while maintaining stable base generation.
This capability is designed to improve grid reliability by allowing the plant to quickly respond to peak electricity demand while maintaining continuous baseline output.
Interest in advanced nuclear technology has been growing among major technology companies seeking reliable carbon-free energy sources for expanding data center operations.
Recently, Meta signed an agreement with TerraPower to help fund development of two additional Natrium reactors with a combined capacity of 690 MW, with electricity delivery expected as early as 2032.
The agreement also includes options for Meta to secure electricity from up to six more Natrium units totaling approximately 2.1 gigawatts, potentially coming online by 2035.
The NRC released its safety evaluation for the project in December, concluding that the preliminary design and analysis of Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 was “consistent with guidance and is sufficient and meets the applicable regulatory requirements” for the issuance of a permit.
Regulators acknowledged that there are “some remaining areas of uncertainty in the KU1 design and analysis,” but noted that this is expected during the early stages of reactor development.
According to the NRC, the uncertainties are acceptable under existing regulations, “which state that the expected design and analysis is preliminary and that outstanding safety questions may be resolved through [research and development] efforts.”
“The staff also notes that … [a permit] does not constitute Commission approval of any design feature unless specifically requested and incorporated into the permit; no such approval was requested in the application,” the NRC wrote, adding that this information can be left for later consideration in the Final Safety Analysis Report.
.jpg)
The approval of the Wyoming project comes as the United States seeks new ways to maintain grid reliability while reducing carbon emissions. Advanced nuclear technologies like TerraPower’s Natrium design are gaining attention because they combine traditional nuclear power generation with flexible energy storage capabilities.
Unlike conventional reactors that operate at a constant output, Natrium reactors can adjust their power delivery more easily, allowing them to complement renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Locating the project near a retiring coal plant also reflects a broader energy transition strategy. Repurposing coal plant sites for nuclear facilities can allow utilities to reuse existing grid infrastructure while maintaining local employment and economic activity in energy-producing regions.
If successful, the Kemmerer facility could serve as a model for future advanced nuclear projects across the United States, particularly as electricity demand grows due to electrification, industrial expansion and the rapid growth of data centers.
Industry analysts say projects like this could play a key role in meeting long-term clean energy targets while ensuring consistent, reliable power generation.
Originally reported by Diana DiGangi, Reporter in Utility Dive.
.png)
