Advanced Reactors / Progress For Bill Gates-Backed Natrium Project As NRC Accepts Construction Permit Application ( www.nucnet.org )

Nuclear plant to be built near retiring coal site in Wyoming.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has accepted TerraPower’s construction permit application for review, marking the first time in more than 40 years that the NRC has docketed this type of application for a commercial non-light water reactor.

The advanced reactor company, based in Bellevue, Washington, and backed by Bill Gates, is seeking permission to build its Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming as part of a demonstration project supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE).

If approved, the construction permit will be the first issued by the NRC for a commercial non-light water power reactor.

The DOE said TerraPower's application applied new guidance that was recently issued by the NRC to ensure consistency, quality and uniformity of reviews for non-light water reactor applicants.

The Natrium reactor is a 345-MW electric sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt energy storage system that is being designed to flexibly operate with renewable power generators to help decarbonise the electric grid.

The first Natrium reactor will be built in Wyoming near the retiring Naughton coal plant – a transition to nuclear power that the DOE said could bring new economic and environmental benefits to the community.

Non-nuclear construction on the project is expected to start later this summer.

TerraPower said recently it is confident its first Natrium plant will be built by 2030, but fuel supply remains a concern.