Bill Gates’ nuclear energy company is set to construct next-generation nuclear power plants in the US, with plans to commence building in Kemmerer, Wyoming, using liquid sodium cooling technology and aiming for operation by 2030.
The company, TerraPower, co-founded by Gates in 2006, focuses on advanced nuclear reactor designs, particularly traveling wave reactor technology, to create safer, more efficient, and sustainable nuclear power solutions.
TerraPower aims to have the nuclear plant operational by 2030, with $1 billion secured from investors. The Natrium reactors will use liquid sodium cooling, making them cheaper to run compared to traditional water-cooled reactors.
Initial work at the Kemmerer site won’t be nuclear-related, as liquid sodium cooling is a significant advancement in reactor technology. The Natrium plants are expected to cost half of what light water reactor plants cost, with the project progressing aggressively.
The company anticipates a $4 billion cost for its Natrium reactor, with about half of the funding expected to come from the Department of Energy. VC backers include CRV and Khosla Ventures.
The Natrium reactor design by TerraPower utilizes liquid sodium as a coolant, providing clean, flexible energy that integrates well with power grids having high renewable energy penetrations.
While Russian and Chinese companies have launched smaller nuclear reactors, progress in similar technology development in the US has been stagnant in recent years.
