TerraPower, a company backed by Bill Gates and a leader in nuclear energy development, has announced an agreement with ASP Isotopes to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to supply next-generation nuclear power plants in the United States. This essential fuel for advanced reactors is currently only commercially produced in Russia.
Chris Levesque, President of TerraPower, expressed optimism about ASP Isotopes’ ability to deliver this type of fuel within the designated timeline, enhancing the potential of advanced nuclear energy to contribute to clean energy goals. He explained that TerraPower has been working on developing a stable and secure supply chain to support its Natrium reactors.
As part of this project, TerraPower began preliminary non-nuclear construction this summer, marking the first advanced nuclear reactor project to move from the design phase to construction. The project is based on a sodium-cooled reactor with a capacity of 345 megawatts of electricity, equipped with an innovative molten salt storage system that can boost output to 500 megawatts for over five hours when needed.
This technology represents a significant step toward nuclear power plants integrated with renewable energy sources, allowing for reliable and sustainable carbon-free energy, which contributes to global efforts to curb climate change and achieve clean energy goals.
