Utah Partners with TerraPower to Explore Advanced Nuclear Reactor Sites
Bottom Line: Utah is taking a major step toward energy independence by partnering with TerraPower to potentially build an advanced nuclear reactor in the state.
Utah's Office of Energy Development signed a groundbreaking agreement with TerraPower and Flagship Companies this week to explore sites for a next-generation Natrium® nuclear reactor. The partnership supports Governor Cox's "Operation Gigawatt" initiative, aimed at building a diverse energy ecosystem for Utah and the Western United States.
What Makes This Special
The Natrium reactor isn't your typical nuclear plant. The technology features a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system that can boost output to 500 MW when needed - essentially acting like a giant battery that can ramp up during peak demand. Even better for water-conscious Utah, it uses significantly less water than current reactor designs.
StronG Support
The initiative has strong backing from Utah's leadership. "Today marks an important step forward for energy in Utah," said Governor Spencer J. Cox. "Operation Gigawatt is about adding capacity from diverse sources — nuclear, natural gas, geothermal and more — so families and businesses have power that is affordable, reliable and clean."
U.S. Senator John Curtis echoed this support, stating: "Utah must lead in developing energy solutions that are affordable, reliable and clean. Exploring advanced nuclear technology aligns with our commitment to energy independence and reflects the kind of forward-thinking policy our state, and nation, needs."
The Timeline and Process
The three partners plan to identify and assess sites with the goal of establishing preliminary site recommendations by the end of 2025. They'll evaluate factors including community support, site characteristics, regulatory licensing potential, and infrastructure access.
TerraPower, already broke ground on America's first commercial Natrium plant in Wyoming in 2024, proving the technology is moving from concept to reality.
Why It Matters
This partnership positions Utah as a leader in energy innovation while addressing the state's growing power needs. As Governor Cox noted, the project will help keep rates low, strengthen the grid, and ensure Utah's energy independence.
For Utah residents, this could mean more reliable, affordable electricity from a cutting-edge technology that bridges the gap between traditional nuclear power and renewable energy storage.