TerraPower, the innovative nuclear energy company founded by Bill Gates, is making a bold move to bring its revolutionary Natrium reactor to the United Kingdom.
In a formal letter submitted to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the company declared its intent to begin the UK’s rigorous Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process – the critical first step in introducing its advanced nuclear technology to an international market.
With the Natrium reactor already gaining momentum in the US, this move marks a significant expansion in TerraPower’s mission to accelerate global decarbonisation through safer, more flexible nuclear power.
Commenting on the development, Chris Levesque, TerraPower President and CEO, said: “I am incredibly excited to begin the process of licensing the Natrium technology in the UK.
“TerraPower is committed to deploying Natrium units globally and has been in active discussions in the UK for years. There is immense interest and opportunity for the United States and United Kingdom to cooperate on deploying advanced nuclear plants over the coming decade.”
Natrium reactor: The future of nuclear innovation
At the heart of TerraPower’s proposal is the Natrium reactor – an advanced, sodium-cooled fast reactor designed to deliver both clean energy and grid flexibility.
Unlike conventional Light Water Reactors, the Natrium system operates using liquid sodium as a coolant and integrates a molten salt energy storage system.
This unique pairing not only enhances safety but also allows the reactor to output up to 500 MWe of electricity for over five hours, far exceeding its standard 345 MWe capacity.
This dynamic energy storage capability makes the Natrium reactor a natural complement to renewable sources like wind and solar, offering a reliable, carbon-free backup when those resources are unavailable.
TerraPower’s design effectively addresses a key hurdle in clean energy integration: delivering steady power in a grid increasingly reliant on intermittent renewables.
Engineering a safer, more cost-efficient nuclear option
The Natrium reactor also introduces groundbreaking safety and cost-saving measures. Operating at over 350°C, well below sodium’s boiling point, the reactor leverages natural physical principles such as gravity and thermal convection for passive cooling. This eliminates the need for high-pressure systems, reducing both complexity and operational risk.
Additionally, the design features a clear separation between the nuclear island and the energy systems like steam turbines and salt tanks. This ‘decoupling’ allows non-nuclear teams to manage substantial parts of the plant, cutting costs and improving operational safety.
Building on US success to gain UK approval
The company’s experience with US regulators is expected to strengthen its GDA application in the UK.
TerraPower’s first Natrium reactor is already under construction in Wyoming, having achieved several regulatory milestones, including acceptance of its construction permit application by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and state-level approval.
With strong regulatory momentum and a compelling, future-ready design, TerraPower is poised to become a key player in the UK’s energy transformation.
As the country works toward a resilient, net-zero grid, innovations like the Natrium reactor could provide the baseload power and storage capacity essential for a sustainable energy future.
