Data center operations: A number of contract and collaboration announcements have been among the developments in the Natrium project so far in 2025.
TerraPower announced in late January the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Seattle-based data center developer, owner, and operator Sabey Data Centers (SDC) for a strategic collaboration to incorporate Natrium plants into SDC’s current and future operations. The collaboration includes a wide-scale evaluation of the potential of Natrium plants deployed in the Rocky Mountain region and Texas to support the power needs of SDC-owned data centers.
Repeatable deployment model: Terrapower also announced in mid-February a strategic collaboration with nVision Energy, an affiliate of Michigan-based energy project developer NOVI Energy. This collaboration is focused on establishing a framework for a repeatable deployment model for developing Natrium facilities across the United States.
The two companies hope to combine nVision Energy’s expertise in complex energy project development with TerraPower’s advanced nuclear technology. nVision’s energy development experience includes hands-on work with both U.S. civil and naval nuclear projects.
Vendor contracts: Also announced in mid-February were deals TerraPower struck with three additional suppliers to support the Natrium Reactor Demonstration Project. The new contracts—forged with Curtiss-Wright, Mirion Technologies, and James Fisher Technologies—are among more than a dozen awarded by TerraPower for the procurement selection process of the long-lead items to be used in the advanced nuclear power plant.
Labor agreement: In another development, the North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) organization signed a project labor agreement with TerraPower for the Natrium reactor. NABTU is an alliance of 14 national and international unions working in the building and construction industry. It collectively represents more than 3 million skilled craft professionals in the United States and Canada.
Government approvals: In addition to these developments—as previously reported by Nuclear Newswire—there have been recent state and federal government approvals relevant to the Natrium project.
The Wyoming Industrial Siting Council has approved a state permit for the construction and operational activities of all nonnuclear portions of the advanced reactor—elements that are outside the jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Meanwhile, the NRC has informed TerraPower that the agency has completed its draft safety evaluation on the company’s construction permit application for Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1. The NRC expects to complete its final safety evaluation by June 2026 and its environmental review by May 2026.
