TerraPower, PacifiCorp developing advanced reactor project for Wyoming

TerraPower and PacifiCorp. will "advance a Natrium reactor demonstration project at a retiring coal plant in Wyoming," TerraPower said in a statement June 2.

TerraPower said "several potential locations in the state" are being evaluated but did not disclose those locations.

The site is expected to be announced by the end of the year, the company said.

"Next steps include further project evaluation, education and outreach, and state and federal regulatory approvals prior to acquisition of a Natrium facility," TerraPower said.

The project was announced at a June 2 event at the state capitol in Cheyenne, the Nuclear Energy Institute said in a statement that day. It was attended by among others US Senator John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican; Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm; and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, a Republican, NEI said.

In October, the US Department of Energy awarded TerraPower and X-energy $80 million each, subject to appropriations by Congress, in an initial award as part of a $3.2 billion program to build two advanced reactors that can be operational in fiscal 2026.

TerraPower and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy are developing Natrium, a 345-MW net reactor coupled with a molten-salt-based energy storage system that will enhance operating flexibility for owners by boosting output to 500 MW for more than 5.5 hours during periods of low renewable output, the companies have said. The system is designed to cost under $1 billion excluding financing costs.

"The demonstration project will be a fully functioning power plant and is intended to validate the design, construction and operational features of the Natrium technology," TerraPower said June 2.

Chris Levesque, TerraPower president and CEO, said in the statement that Natrium "was designed to solve a challenge utilities face as they work to enhance grid reliability and stability while meeting decarbonization and emissions-reduction goals."

The companies "are currently conducting joint due diligence to ensure this opportunity is cost-effective for our customers and a great fit for Wyoming," Gary Hoogeveen, president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp., an electricity provider in six states in the western US, said in the statement.

Governor Gordon said in the statement he was "thrilled to see Wyoming selected for this demonstration pilot project ... and our experienced workforce is looking forward to the jobs this project will provide."

Maria Korsnick, NEI president and CEO, said in the trade group's statement that "TerraPower is leading the way by expanding the potential for advanced nuclear technologies in our energy transition."

"With coal plants retiring, a transition to nuclear means we can continue to use the expertise of coal workers and infrastructure developed over decades to achieve our decarbonization goals," Korsnick said.