The Utah Office of Energy Development, TerraPower, and Flagship Companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore building a Natriumยฎ advanced nuclear reactor and energy storage plant in Utah. The collaboration supports Gov. Coxโs Operation Gigawatt, aiming to enhance Utahโs clean, reliable energy future. Site recommendations are expected by late 2025, with a focus on community support, licensing potential, and infrastructure. TerraPowerโs Natrium technology offers flexible, water-efficient power with energy storage, ideal for Utahโs energy and environmental needs. Read TerraPowers’ full press release:
The Utah Office of Energy Development (OED), TerraPower and Flagship Companies announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the potential siting of a Natriumยฎ reactor and energy storage plant in Utah.This landmark agreement establishes a non-binding framework for cooperation among the three parties and supports Gov. Coxโs Operation Gigawatt, a strategic effort to build an energy ecosystem that serves Utah and the Western U.S. Under the agreement, OED, TerraPower and Flagship will jointly identify and assess sites for a potential advanced nuclear plant, with the goal of establishing preliminary site recommendations by the end of 2025. Site selection will be based on an evaluation of a variety of factors including community support, the physical characteristics of the site, the ability of the site to obtain a license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and access to existing infrastructure.
โToday marks an important step forward for energy in Utah,โ said Governor Spencer J. Cox. โOperation Gigawatt is about adding capacity from diverse sources โ nuclear, natural gas, geothermal and more โ so families and businesses have power that is affordable, reliable and clean. This agreement with TerraPower will help keep rates low, strengthen our grid and ensure Utahโs future can be as strong as our past.โ
โUtah must lead in developing energy solutions that are affordable, reliable and clean,โ said U.S. Senator Curtis. โExploring advanced nuclear technology aligns with our commitment to energy independence and reflects the kind of forward-thinking policy our state, and nation, needs.โ
“Utah has a proud history of energy innovation, and this agreement positions us to explore next-generation nuclear technology that can help meet our growing power needs while strengthening our energy independence,” said Emy Lesofski, Executive Director of the Utah Office of Energy Development. โWe look forward to working with our local communities, utilities, large energy users and other partners as we identify and evaluate potential sites.โ
“TerraPower is excited to collaborate with Utah leaders and communities to explore how Natrium plants can help Utah achieve its economic and energy goals,” said Chris Levesque, President and CEO of TerraPower. “Our Natrium reactor and energy storage system is well-suited for the Mountain West, and will play a vital role in ensuring a reliable grid for future generations.”
The Natrium technology features a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system. The storage technology can boost the systemโs output to 500 MW of power when needed as it is designed to keep base output steady, ensuring reliability, and can quickly ramp up when demand peaks โ it is the only advanced reactor design with this innovative feature. The Natrium reactor has the added benefit of using significantly less water than the current light water reactor fleet and SMR designs, making it well suited for water-constrained regions.
TerraPower broke ground on the first Natrium project in 2024 in Wyoming; and is slated to be Americaโs next commercial-scale nuclear power plant.
Flagship Companies, a Utah-based land development firm, will provide access to relevant land data and assist in identifying and evaluating potential candidate sites for reactor development. Craig Cannon, Partner at Flagship Companies, added, “Weโre proud to be part of a forward-looking initiative that aligns land development with next-generation energy solutions. This MOU reflects a model for private-public collaboration in building the infrastructure of the future.”
The MOU reflects a shared commitment to support advanced nuclear technologies as a cornerstone of Utahโs energy future โ prioritizing reliability, economic growth and energy abundance and supports Gov. Coxโs Operation Gigawatt, a strategic effort to build an energy ecosystem that serves the state and the Western U.S.
Read more here.
