Advanced Nuclear Reactor Projects
TerraPower Broke Ground on Its Natrium Advanced Nuclear Reactor
Adam Harrie — April 29, 2026
Bill Gates-backed company TerraPower has begun construction on the Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming, marking the first time an advanced nuclear reactor has progressed from design to physical construction anywhere in the world. The project combines a 345 MW sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt storage system that can push output up to 500 MW during periods of high demand.
The project site is adjacent to a retiring coal facility, making it the only active coal-to-nuclear transition on Earth. Construction is planned to last five years, with about 1,600 workers at peak activity and 250 permanent positions once the project goes live.
As energy grids seek reliable, carbon-free power, TerraPower demonstrates that pairing next-generation nuclear with built-in storage can deliver on-demand clean electricity that complements renewables.
