"The 345-megawatt reactor is expected to produce up to 500 megawatts at its peak, enough energy for up to 400,000 homes. Gates and his energy company are seeking to develop a next-generation nuclear plant that would "revolutionize" how power is generated."
"The reactor construction permit for a TerraPower subsidiary is the NRC's first approval for a non-light-water commercial reactor in more than 40 years, the NRC said in a statement. Virtually all of the world's commercial nuclear reactors use water to control reactions and transfer heat to drive turbines and produce electricity."
"TerraPower filed for the permit in 2024 and construction is now set to begin within weeks. Completion of the up to $4 billion plant is targeted for 2030, according to TerraPower. Microsoft co-founder Gates, who is eyeing nuclear generation as a power source for the electricity-hungry data centers behind artificial intelligence, is a founder of TerraPower and its primary investor."
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved TerraPower's construction permit for a commercial sodium-cooled reactor in western Wyoming, marking the first NRC approval for a non-light-water commercial reactor in over 40 years. TerraPower, founded and primarily funded by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, plans to build a 345-megawatt reactor near Kemmerer, Wyoming, with completion targeted for 2030 at a cost of up to $4 billion. The reactor will use molten sodium as a coolant instead of water, representing next-generation nuclear technology. Gates views nuclear power as essential for powering electricity-intensive artificial intelligence data centers. The facility is expected to generate up to 500 megawatts at peak capacity, providing energy for approximately 400,000 homes. Construction began in 2024 and will accelerate following the permit approval.
#nuclear-energy #advanced-reactor-technology #bill-gates-investment #sodium-cooled-reactors #ai-data-center-power
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