Bechtel Breaks Ground on Advanced Sodium-Cooled Nuclear Reactor in Wyoming

Reston, Virginia-based Bechtel has commenced construction on a groundbreaking nuclear project in Kemmerer, Wyoming, heralding a new era in clean energy innovation.

According to a press release from June 10, Bechtel, serving as the engineering, procurement, and construction partner, is collaborating with Bellevue, Washington-based TerraPower on the Natrium Demonstration Project.

The Natrium project stands out for its use of sodium rather than water as a coolant, marking a departure from conventional nuclear power plants. This technology aims to maintain reactor temperatures efficiently. Initial construction will focus on non-nuclear components, pending approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the facility's design, as reported by Utility Dive.

Projected to require 1,600 workers at its peak over five years, the project anticipates completion by 2029. TerraPower envisions Natrium operating at up to 500 megawatts, capable of powering approximately 400,000 homes continuously.

Bechtel, ranked as the third largest U.S. contractor by revenue according to Engineering News-Record, has a robust portfolio in nuclear construction, including the recent completion of Georgia's Vogtle Unit 3. The company's involvement underscores its leadership in complex energy projects, although it faced setbacks like the cancellation of Renovo Energy Co.'s Pennsylvania power plant project in April 2023.