TerraPower Launches Construction on Kemmerer Training Center to Build Next-Gen Nuclear Workforce

TerraPower, the nuclear innovation company founded by Bill Gates, has begun construction on the Kemmerer Training Center (KTC) in Kemmerer, Wyoming, marking another major milestone for its Natrium advanced nuclear power project.

Announced on August 18, 2025, the 30,000-square-foot facility will play a critical role in training future operators of the Natrium plant, which is set to become the nation’s first utility-scale advanced nuclear power facility.

The Kemmerer Training Center will host all operator-accredited programs and training activities. It will include the Natrium Training Simulator, laboratories for electrical systems, Instrumentation & Control (I&C), and mechanical studies, in addition to classrooms, scientific labs, and a large auditorium. TerraPower has not disclosed project costs or contractor partners for the training center.

“The future of energy will only come to fruition if we have a skilled, dedicated and robust workforce,” said Chris Levesque, TerraPower president and CEO. “The Kemmerer Training Center will serve as the central hub for future Natrium operators who will deliver the reliable and flexible power communities need. We are proud to be building this facility on the site of our first Natrium plant. The proximity between the plant and the training center, along with the ongoing support of the Kemmerer community, are invaluable as we continue to advance America's next nuclear power plant.”

Wyoming’s Role in Next-Gen Nuclear

Wyoming leaders say the project represents both economic opportunity and technological progress.

“Wyoming is leading the way in establishing the next generation nuclear sector,” said Gov. Mark Gordon. “With today’s announcement at the Natrium site on the beginning of construction on the training center, southwest Wyoming has much to celebrate — from workforce opportunities to state-of-the-art energy production.”

The state, long associated with fossil fuel production, is now positioning itself as a hub for clean energy innovation, with the Natrium project symbolizing that transition.

Natrium Project: A First for U.S. Nuclear

The Natrium plant, which broke ground in 2024, is the only commercial-scale advanced nuclear project under construction in the U.S. Designed with both reliability and flexibility in mind, the Natrium reactor features a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor paired with a molten salt energy storage system that can boost output to 500 MW during peak demand.

This hybrid approach ensures steady baseload power while enabling rapid ramp-up during grid fluctuations — a key advantage as utilities integrate more renewable energy sources.

Another defining feature is its decoupled “dual island” design, separating nuclear and energy structures to reduce the amount of specialized materials required. This innovation is expected to lower costs and accelerate construction timelines compared to conventional nuclear plants.

The project is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), a public-private partnership designed to bring advanced nuclear technologies online faster.

Looking Ahead to 2030

Scheduled for completion in 2030, the Natrium plant in Kemmerer will represent a historic milestone in U.S. energy production — the first utility-scale advanced nuclear power plant in the country.

By building a training center directly alongside the project, TerraPower is ensuring a ready workforce is prepared to operate and maintain the facility from day one. The KTC will also serve as a long-term hub for nuclear skills development, helping to expand the pipeline of workers entering an industry critical to meeting future clean energy demands.

Originally reported by Terra Power in Construction Equipment Guide.