Bill Gates to Build Next-Generation SMR Nuclear Plant in Wyoming, USA

▲Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft (MS) [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] TerraPower, a nuclear power company founded by Microsoft (MS) co-founder Bill Gates, has selected a small city in Wyoming, in the western United States, as the site for its next-generation small modular reactor (SMR) and will begin construction in 2024.

According to the Associated Press on the 16th (local time), TerraPower announced that it will build a new 345 MW nuclear power plant called "Natrium" in the small city of Kemmerer, Wyoming.

Chris Levesque, CEO of TerraPower, stated in a press release, "Our company's innovative technology will drive the energy system transition and create well-paying new jobs in Wyoming," adding, "We will contribute to ensuring continuous and reliable power generation."

Wyoming is the largest coal-producing state in the U.S. and is rich in resources such as oil and natural gas. Kemmerer is home to a coal power plant operated by Rocky Mountain Power, a subsidiary of PacifiCorp.

With the coal plant scheduled to close in 2025, construction of Natrium will begin in 2024.

The 345 MW Natrium plant, once completed, will generate enough electricity to power approximately 250,000 households, and it is estimated that about 2,000 new jobs will be created in the region during the construction period.

CEO Levesque explained to the media that the presence of workers at the local coal power plant was a major reason for choosing Kemmerer.

He said, "These workers are well-prepared to operate Natrium," adding, "Of course, some retraining will be necessary."

This plan for SMR construction materialized following Gates' collaboration in June with PacifiCorp, owned by investment guru Warren Buffett.

Natrium uses a sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) design.

Unlike conventional light water reactors and heavy water reactors, it uses fast neutrons to induce nuclear fission and produces electricity by generating steam from heat cooled by liquid sodium.

CEO Levesque emphasized the safety of the new reactor by referencing the Fukushima nuclear accident caused by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

He explained, "In an emergency, Natrium will not rely on external power, pumps, or additional equipment to restore the plant," adding, "The sodium cooling method will allow the plant to shut down quickly in emergencies."

While proponents argue that SFRs outperform conventional reactors with a maximum output of over 1,000 MW, are safer, and less costly, the Associated Press also reported skepticism that sodium cooling offers no advantages over water cooling.