TerraPower starts design assessment process in U.K.

TerraPower has taken its first steps in the regulatory process for its advanced nuclear reactor in the United Kingdom.

TerraPower, backed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, announced in an April 16 press release that it has submitted a letter to the U.K. Department of Energy Security and Net Zero establishing its intention to enter the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process.

The GDA is the process used by the U.K. nuclear and environmental regulators to assess new nuclear projects. TerraPower said “this is the first step in efforts to deploy the Natrium technology in an international market,” as stated in the press release.

TerraPower’s Natrium technology includes a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten, salt-based energy storage system that can increase output to 500 megawatts of power when needed.

With TerraPower having its first Natrium plant under construction in Wyoming, which first broke ground in June 2024, the company said it plans to use its regulatory milestones as a basis for its GDA application.

Last month at a nuclear conference, company officials said the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s review of its first Natrium plant in Wyoming is about two months ahead of schedule and still on pace for completion in 2030.

According to the U.K. Office of Nuclear Regulation website, TerraPower began its engagement with the agency in October 2024.