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The landscape of energy production in Wyoming is undergoing a transformative shift as TerraPower has officially commenced construction on its Natrium power plant in Kemmerer. The facility, known as Kemmerer-1, represents a breakthrough in nuclear technology and a significant milestone for the nuclear energy industry in the United States.
Construction began after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted its approval for the project’s construction permit in early March. This decision marked the first approval for a commercial nuclear reactor by the commission in nearly a decade. Furthermore, it is the first commercial non–light water reactor to receive such approval in more than 40 years.
TerraPower’s CEO Chris Levesque celebrated the event, remarking, "This is the moment our industry has been working toward for a generation. We’re not just breaking new ground on a first-of-a-kind nuclear plant in Wyoming; we’re building the next generation of America’s energy infrastructure. The Natrium plant will deliver reliable and dispatchable power to the grid, and Kemmerer Unit 1 [will] serve as a commercial blueprint to mobilize a fleet of Natrium plants across the country and around the world."
The Kemmerer-1 project’s origins date back to 2021 when TerraPower selected a site near a retiring coal-fired power plant. Supported by the Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), the plant aims to integrate advanced technologies to redefine how energy is generated and delivered. TerraPower had previously broken ground on nonnuclear support facilities for the project in June 2024.
Bechtel, a global leader in engineering and construction, has partnered with TerraPower as the engineering, procurement, and construction lead for the project. Dena Volovar, president of Bechtel’s nuclear, security, and environmental business, emphasized the significance of the collaboration. "We’re proud to partner with TerraPower on this first-of-a-kind project", Volovar stated, "and to help establish a blueprint for how advanced reactors can be delivered to support a cleaner, more reliable energy future."
The construction of the Natrium power plant is expected to generate approximately 1,600 jobs, offering a significant economic boost to the region. Once completed - targeted for 2030 - the facility will employ around 250 full-time workers. It will also stand as the first commercial nuclear power plant in Wyoming’s history.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon highlighted the broader significance of the project, stating, "The start of construction on TerraPower’s Natrium plant in Kemmerer marks a major milestone not just for Wyoming but for the future of American energy. I want to thank everyone at TerraPower for their work getting to this day. Wyoming has long powered this country, and today we are leading again, this time in next-generation nuclear technology. This project reflects our commitment to reliable energy, good-paying jobs, and a future built on innovation and Wyoming values."
TerraPower envisions the Kemmerer-1 plant as a model for its future commercialization strategy. The company has already announced plans to scale its Natrium technology globally. As part of this vision, TerraPower signed an agreement with Meta earlier this year to provide as many as eight Natrium units by 2035, with the first two units expected to be delivered as early as 2032.
Meanwhile, international interest in the Natrium design has also emerged. In February, the United Kingdom’s Generic Design Assessment regulatory authorities accepted the reactor design for review, setting the stage for potential deployment abroad.
While PacifiCorp has yet to finalize a power purchase agreement for the project, one of its subsidiaries, Rocky Mountain Power, has expressed strong support. Rocky Mountain Power President Dick Garlish stated, "Baseload power is critical to serve our customers, and advanced nuclear technologies like the Natrium project [are] a promising resource."
With construction now underway, the Natrium project is poised to become a cornerstone of innovation in nuclear energy, offering a pathway to cleaner, more reliable power for both Wyoming and the rest of the world.
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