Bill Gates begins building 345-megawatt Natrium nuclear reactor in US

The US has formally initiated the construction of its first next-generation nuclear reactor at Wyoming, which it aims to complete by 2030.

On June 10, Bill Gates helped break ground on the project spearheaded by his firm TerraPower and the Department of Energy (DOE), which plans to build a sodium test reactor in Kemmerer.

“I just left the groundbreaking ceremony for the first-ever Natrium plant, which will bring safe, next-generation nuclear technology to life right here in Wyoming,” said Gates in a blog post .

The reactor will be TerraPower’s first plant, built through a public-private partnership with the DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP).

The Natrium reactor, unlike current Light Water reactors, is a 345-megawatt sodium fast reactor. It includes a new technology from TerraPower: a molten salt energy storage system.

According to the company, the innovation allows the plant to store a large amount of energy, making it ideal for grids with lots of renewable energy.

Safer and cost-efficient

The US has made little progress in nuclear reactor technology. Only two new reactors have been built since 1978, featuring conventional pressurized water and boiling water systems.

Aiming to introduce the next generation of nuclear reactors in the country, Bill Gates started TerraPower in 2008. The company aimed to give a platform to nuclear scientists who could transform a concept into reality.

Natrium reactors employ sodium rather than water as a coolant and are not pressurized like other facilities. They run at temperatures well below the boiling point of sodium.

Unlike traditional reactors, TerraPower’s design makes use of natural forces like heat convection and gravity to provide passive cooling and drastically lower safety-related expenses.

Furthermore, because of its special design, the energy and nuclear islands can be separated and “decoupled,” guaranteeing that the integrated energy storage and power generation systems are totally isolated from the nuclear part of the plant.

Significant plant functions, such as salt tanks and steam turbines, can be operated by non-nuclear project teams outside of the nuclear control area thanks to this design. This saves money and is safer.

“The design was far safer than any existing plant, with the temperatures held under control by the laws of physics instead of human operators who can make mistakes. It would have a shorter construction timeline and be cheaper to operate,” said Gates.

Furthermore, the next-generation reactor incorporates an energy storage system, enabling precise control over its electricity output—a feature unique to nuclear reactors. This capability is crucial for integrating with power grids reliant on variable sources such as solar and wind.

Natrium project moves forward

This program will be executed under a 50/50 cost-sharing arrangement between TerraPower and DOE, with up to $2 billion allocated for the Natrium project.

The initial costs for the Natrium demonstration plant will cover various aspects: designing and obtaining licenses for the reactor, developing and qualifying fuel, and constructing and operating two key facilities.

These facilities include the Natrium Fuel Fabrication Facility and the Sodium Test and Fill Facility. The sodium facility will test and demonstrate the performance of unique equipment before it operates in the reactor plant.

There are still some bureaucratic hurdles that need to be cleared. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission recently accepted TerraPower’s permit application for review, marking a significant milestone.

According to Gates, this is the first time in over 40 years that such a review has been initiated for a commercial non-light water reactor. Once approved, construction on the nuclear reactor can actually commence.

Meanwhile, TerraPower will build the non-nuclear components, starting with the “energy island” next year. This island will house steam turbines and power generation equipment. Construction on the nuclear island is slated to begin in 2026.