TerraPower Begins Construction of America's First Utility-Scale Advanced Nuclear Power Facility

TerraPower Breaks Ground on Landmark Nuclear Project

On April 23, 2026, TerraPower, renowned for its nuclear innovation, announced the beginning of construction on its flagship Natrium® plant at Kemmerer Unit 1, aimed to be the first utility-scale advanced nuclear power plant in the United States. This significant milestone follows the successful acquisition of a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and marks a culmination of rigorous engineering and innovative site preparation efforts.

Chris Levesque, TerraPower’s President and CEO, expressed excitement over this historic moment. He emphasized that the Natrium plant is not just a groundbreaking nuclear facility; it represents the next generation of America’s energy framework. “This is the moment our industry has been working toward for a generation. We’re building the next generation of America’s energy infrastructure,” Levesque stated. The Natrium plant aims to provide reliable and dispatchable power to the grid, serving as a commercial blueprint for future Natrium installations across the nation and beyond.

The commencement of construction on this plant is a pivotal event, not only for the state of Wyoming but also for the entire energy landscape of the United States. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon highlighted the significance of this project, stating, “This project reflects our commitment to reliable energy, good-paying jobs, and a future built on innovation and Wyoming values.”

The plant’s unique features include a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor alongside an integrated molten salt-based energy storage system, enhancing energy output capabilities to 500 MW. This allows the system to power approximately 400,000 homes, proving essential during peak demands while maintaining steady output during standard conditions. This sort of technology is ground-breaking as it stands as the only advanced reactor design with these specific attributes.

U.S. Senator John Barrasso remarked on the necessity for reliable baseload power stating, “Starting construction on this groundbreaking project will create more jobs in Kemmerer and help expand Wyoming’s already strong energy economy. It’s a win-win for Wyoming and America’s energy security.”

Senator Cynthia Lummis added that this construction phase marks a defining moment for American energy, asserting it provides good jobs, lasting economic strength, and reliable power to the community. U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman echoed similar sentiments lauding this venture as emblematic of the country's nuclear renaissance.

The project has mobilized a workforce of around 1,600 laborers to initiate plant construction, which is projected to employ approximately 250 full-time staff once operational. Alongside the creation of numerous job opportunities, this plant aims to stabilize energy production and reduce reliance on other energy sources, aligning with national priorities for energy independence.

In collaboration with Bechtel as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, TerraPower aims to deliver these innovative nuclear projects with efficiency and safety, leveraging the latest digital tools and techniques. The JyNet energy system, combined with state-of-the-art reactor technology, positions the Natrium plant as a forward-looking project that could redefine the U.S. energy sector.

Moreover, through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), the Natrium facility exemplifies the benefits of public-private ventures in advancing nuclear technology that aims to meet the world’s energy demands responsibly.

Since breaking ground on this greenfield site in June 2024 and beginning construction on non-nuclear support facilities, TerraPower has diligently moved forward with the Natrium technology, with an agreement already signed with Meta for the potential development of up to eight additional Natrium plants by 2035. As TerraPower continues to lead this innovative frontier, it not only reinforces Wyoming’s place in the nuclear energy landscape but sets a new standard for sustainable and effective energy solutions nationwide.

TerraPower, co-founded by Bill Gates and a dedicated team of innovators, strives to address global energy challenges through nuclear technology and science. With its commitment to tackling pressing global needs, TerraPower is positioned at the forefront of the burgeoning energy sector, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and the pursuit of energy independence.

For more information about TerraPower and its projects, visit terrapower.com.