KEY POINTS
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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a construction permit for TerraPower’s Natrium reactor, marking the first approval for an advanced, commercial-scale nuclear plant in the U.S.
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TerraPower’s Natrium technology combines a 345 MW sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system, offering flexible, reliable power.
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The Kemmerer Unit 1 project, part of the DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, is scheduled for completion by 2030.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) officially voted to issue a construction permit for TerraPower’s first Natrium reactor, Kemmerer Unit 1 in Wyoming. For construction professionals tracking major utility-scale projects, this marks a defining moment. It is the first time an advanced, commercial-scale nuclear power plant has received this level of approval in the United States.
This decision, announced in a statement from TerraPower, authorizes the company to begin nuclear-related construction activities for the Kemmerer, Wyoming, plant.
As we monitor the historic build-out of U.S. power infrastructure, this approval signals a milestone for advanced nuclear deployment and potential project opportunities for the nonresidential construction industry.
Construction Timeline
TerraPower President and CEO Chris Levesque framed the approval as a critical moment for the nation’s energy infrastructure.
“Today is a historic day for the United States’ nuclear industry. We are beyond proud to receive a positive vote from the Nuclear Regulatory Commissioners to grant us our construction permit for Kemmerer Unit One,” Levesque said.
A rendering from TerraPower showing the 16-acre nuclear island (44-acre total site) of the Natrium system, which officials say showcases its compact design, offering a smaller footprint per unit of power than other Gen IV reactors. Image: TerraPower
Levesque noted that his team worked with NRC staff for more than four years to prepare a thorough application.
TerraPower plans to start construction on the Natrium plant in the coming weeks, although a specific timeline was not provided in the statement.
For contractors, building material suppliers, and estimators, this means mobilization and procurement phases are on the horizon.
Streamlined Licensing & Regulatory Review
TerraPower filed its construction permit application in March 2024. The NRC initially set a 27-month review schedule. However, the agency streamlined the process and completed the review in just 18 months.
TerraPower credits this accelerated timeline to a complete application, quick responses to regulatory questions, and strong legislative support.
In a statement from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), officials said, “This is the first commercial reactor the NRC has approved for construction in nearly a decade and the first approval for a non-light water reactor in more than 40 years. NRC staff finished their technical review of this new design in less than 18 months.”
The permit covers nuclear construction activities only. Under standard NRC procedures, the facility will require a separate operating license before it begins commercial service.
The NRC issued its safety evaluation for the permit in December 2025 and the final environmental impact statement for the site in October 2025.
Advanced Reactor Design and Flexible Output
The Kemmerer Unit 1 project relies on TerraPower’s Natrium technology, which pairs a sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based thermal energy storage system. Designed by TerraPower and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, the facility aims to deliver consistent reliability while ramping quickly to meet peak demand.
Key design attributes include:
Reactor output: A 345 MW sodium-cooled fast reactor.
Integrated storage: A patented molten salt-based energy storage system.
Flexible capacity: The storage system allows the plant to temporarily boost output to 500 MW when needed, keeping the base reactor output steady.
Powering the Data Center Construction Boom
For decision-makers in nonresidential construction, the Natrium project is part of a much larger trend. Rapidly growing electricity demand is fueling an unprecedented wave of power plant development.
As reported in the ConstructConnect Data Center Report, January 2026 saw a record $25.2 billion in U.S. data center construction starts across 20 distinct projects. This massive surge pushed trailing-twelve-month data center spending to $103.7 billion, averaging $8.6 billion per month, according to ConstructConnect Chief Economist Michael Guckes.
Furthermore, ConstructConnect is tracking 65 additional data center projects worth $92.1 billion with potential start dates over the next six months, Guckes added.
To support this massive growth in digital infrastructure, U.S. power plant developers plan to add 86 gigawatts of new utility-scale generating capacity to the grid in 2026. For construction firms, this could translate into potential robust bidding pipelines and long-term project viability in the energy sector.
Looking Ahead To 2030
The Kemmerer facility is being developed through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, a public-private partnership designed to accelerate next-generation nuclear technologies.
Current schedules project completion in 2030. If delivered on time, Kemmerer Unit 1 will stand as the first utility-scale advanced nuclear power plant in the country.
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