TerraPower, datacenter operator partner to deploy advanced reactors

TerraPower LLC and Sabey Data Centers signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on deploying TerraPower's advanced nuclear reactor design.

The agreement between the advanced reactor developer and datacenter owner and operator includes "exploring new Natrium plants in the Rocky Mountain region, as well as Texas, to support growing power needs for SDC-owned datacenters," the companies said in a Jan. 21 statement.

TerraPower's Natrium design pairs a 345-MW sodium-cooled fast reactor with a gigawatt-scale molten salt-based energy storage system. TerraPower submitted an application permit to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in March 2024 and the agency's review is on track for a decision as soon as December 2026, according to the company.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Sabey to address the surging energy demands of datacenters with clean, reliable and adaptable solutions like the Natrium technology," said Chris Levesque, president and CEO of TerraPower. "The energy sector is transforming at an unprecedented pace after decades of business as usual. ... Together we can ensure advanced nuclear technology plays a vital role in securing a clean, resilient energy grid."

Tim Mirick, president of Sabey Data Centers, said the partnership with TerraPower represented a "substantial move toward integrating clean, innovative power technologies into the heart of our operations."

TerraPower said Jan. 14 that it has received a permit from the state of Wyoming for construction and operation of its Natrium reactor project. The permit for the company's Wyoming Advanced Energy (Natrium) unit 1 "covers all construction and operational activities on the Natrium plant that are not under the jurisdiction of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission," the company said.

The company expects to begin building its "energy island" and training center this year and will continue work begun in 2024 on a sodium test and fill facility.

TerraPower has said it anticipates submitting an operating license application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2027 and, subject to approvals, plans to complete construction this decade.