Bill Gates-Backed TerraPower Receives Green Light for Wyoming Nuclear Reactor

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved the construction of TerraPower’s Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming, marking a significant milestone for advanced nuclear energy in the United States. This approval, granted on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, is the first construction permit issued for a commercial advanced reactor .

A New Generation of Nuclear Power

TerraPower, founded by Bill Gates, plans to commence construction in the coming weeks near a retiring coal-fired power plant in Kemmerer . The Natrium reactor is a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor and the project is expected to be operational in the early 2030s . The reactor’s design incorporates a molten salt-based energy storage system, allowing it to temporarily boost power output to 500 MW during peak demand .

Key Features of the Natrium Reactor

• Sodium-Cooled Design: Utilizes liquid sodium for cooling and heat transfer, avoiding the challenges associated with high-pressure steam used in traditional water-cooled reactors.
• Fast-Neutron Reactor: Capable of consuming certain isotopes that would otherwise become radioactive waste.
• Energy Storage: Integrated molten salt energy storage system provides flexibility and enhances grid reliability.
• Compact Size: A 345-megawatt reactor, smaller than many existing nuclear plants.

Regulatory Review and Timeline

The NRC completed its technical review of the application in 18 months, faster than the initially scheduled 27 months. TerraPower was the first developer to submit a construction permit application for a commercial advanced reactor, doing so in March 2024, with the application being docketed in May 2024 .

Industry Reaction

“Today is a historic day for the United States’ nuclear industry,” said Chris Levesque, TerraPower president and CEO, in a statement. “We are beyond proud to receive a positive vote from the Nuclear Regulatory Commissioners to grant us our construction permit for Kemmerer Unit One. This is the first commercial-scale, advanced nuclear plant to receive this permit.”

Looking Ahead

This approval represents a major step forward for next-generation nuclear energy and could pave the way for wider adoption of advanced reactor designs. The Natrium reactor project aims to demonstrate the potential of nuclear power to provide reliable, carbon-free energy and support the growing demand for electricity, particularly from data centers .