Bill Gates-backed TerraPower begins nuclear reactor construction

Source: Engadget

Approval and Project Overview

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted TerraPower approval to begin construction of a reactor in Wyoming. This marks the first new U.S. commercial nuclear reactor in about a decade, according to The New York Times. TerraPower, founded by Bill Gates, spent years securing regulatory clearance for this effort.

Technology: Natrium Reactor

TerraPower’s project utilizes its “Natrium” technology, which employs a liquid‑sodium cooling system instead of a traditional light‑water reactor. The company argues that this approach can reduce both costs and construction timelines.

Benefits and Concerns

• Benefits: Advocates view nuclear reactors as a means to generate electricity without the climate impact of coal or natural‑gas plants, addressing growing energy demands from AI companies and data centers.
• Concerns: Critics highlight safety risks and question whether the creation and disposal of nuclear waste could offset the environmental advantages.

Cost and Timeline

The proposed facility is estimated to cost at least $4 billion. It faces logistical challenges and is slated to come online in 2031.

Source

This article originally appeared on Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/bill-gates-backed-terrapower-begins-nuclear-reactor-construction-221132639.html?src=rss