TerraPower , the nuclear energy startup founded by Bill Gates , has received approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build a next-generation reactor in Wyoming . It is the first commercial-scale, advanced nuclear plant ever to receive a federal permit and will be the first commercial reactor to be built in the United States in nearly a decade.
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Construction at the Wyoming plant is expected to be completed by 2030. TerraPower is one of several companies seeking to build smaller, more efficient reactors to bolster power grids under pressure from AI data centers. In a 2024 interview with The Verge, Bill Gates said he believes nuclear power can help solve the climate crisis by using designs that minimize problems related to safety, fuel use, and waste management.
TerraPower innovation
Unlike conventional water-cooled nuclear plants, TerraPower ’s 345-megawatt “Natrium” design utilizes liquid sodium to reduce shielding costs and operate at lower pressures. TerraPower’s plant also features a unique “ storage system molten salt energy ” that allows it to easily scale up power output to 500 megawatts when demand increases.
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This innovation is a significant step towards sustainable energy, as smaller and more efficient reactors can be more easily integrated into existing grids, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, seeks to prove that nuclear energy can be safe, efficient and environmentally friendly.
Using liquid sodium instead of water as a coolant allows operation at lower pressures, thus reducing the risks associated with the high pressures of traditional reactors. In addition, the molten salt-based energy storage system provides flexibility in energy production, allowing immediate response to fluctuations in demand.
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The successful completion of this project could pave the way for the wider adoption of nuclear energy as a sustainable solution to meet energy needs, while contributing to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and the fight against climate change.
