U.S. issues its first nuclear power construction permit in a decade; advanced nuclear reactor backed by Bill Gates approved

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The construction of nuclear power in the United States has entered a new phase. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has officially approved the construction of the Natrium advanced nuclear reactor by TerraPower, a company supported by Bill Gates, issuing the first commercial nuclear power construction permit in nearly a decade and the first federal permit for a non-light-water commercial reactor in over forty years.

On March 4, 2026, the NRC unanimously approved the construction of the reactor at Unit 1 of the Kemmerer power station in southwestern Wyoming. TerraPower stated that physical construction will officially begin "in the next few weeks."

Currently, there are zero nuclear power units under construction in the U.S.; this approval means the United States is re-entering the global nuclear power construction stage. Earlier this year, TerraPower signed an agreement with Meta, planning to build up to eight Natrium reactors to provide stable, carbon-free electricity for AI data centers.

This cooperation highlights a structural shift in the current electricity market—demand for power from artificial intelligence and data centers is continuously expanding, driving tech companies and energy developers to seek reliable sources of base load power, thereby drawing broader market attention to the commercial prospects of advanced nuclear power.

Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor: Breaking the Traditional Path

The Natrium reactor adopts a pool-type sodium-cooled fast neutron design, with a capacity of 345 MW (electric). Unlike traditional light-water reactors, this reactor is equipped with a molten salt energy storage system, allowing flexible output adjustment while steadily operating base load—offering response capabilities similar to gas peaker plants.

In terms of fuel, Natrium uses high-purity low-enriched uranium (HALEU), with U-235 enrichment ranging from about 15% to 20%, enabling smaller and more efficient reactor core designs.

This marks the first approval of a commercial non-light-water nuclear reactor in the U.S. in over forty years, breaking the longstanding dominance of light-water technology in American commercial nuclear power.

Accelerated Regulation: Review Cycle Significantly Compressed

TerraPower submitted its construction permit application in March 2024. NRC staff completed the review in just 18 months, far shorter than the original estimate of 27 months, noticeably improving approval efficiency.

The regulatory acceleration is seen by outsiders as an official response to rapidly expanding electricity demand pressures.

Before formal approval, TerraPower had already initiated construction of non-nuclear parts of the project in 2024, including "energy island" and other energy storage infrastructure components, relying on relevant exemption permits and a state-level permit issued in 2025 by Wyoming’s Industrial Siting Council.

Technology Demand Driven: Meta Partnership Shows Scale Potential

Earlier in 2026, TerraPower signed a large-scale cooperation agreement with Meta, planning to build up to eight Natrium reactors for Meta, with a total installed capacity reaching several gigawatts, directly meeting the structural demand of AI data centers for stable, carbon-free base load power.

If the Kemmerer project proceeds smoothly, it will provide critical engineering validation and regulatory precedent for the mass replication of Natrium technology.

As tech companies’ electricity demands continue to climb and traditional fossil fuel power plants accelerate their retirement, the commercialization path for advanced nuclear power is rapidly shifting from the demonstration stage to large-scale deployment. Market and investor attention to this sector is rising accordingly.

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