Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 8, TerraPower, Evergy, and Kansas officials sign MOU to explore Natrium reactor deployment

Kansas, USA – TerraPower, the Bill Gates-backed advanced nuclear developer, Evergy, and the Kansas Department of Commerce have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to assess potential sites for TerraPower’s Natrium reactor and energy storage system within Evergy’s service territory. The agreement formalizes cooperation to study site-specific characteristics, technical design, and the system’s potential to support Evergy customers.

Site selection will consider factors such as community support, physical site characteristics, licensing feasibility with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and access to existing infrastructure, the parties said.

Governor Laura Kelly commented: “My administration has always supported an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach when meeting the energy needs of Kansas citizens and businesses. We need to explore all available sources to power the future of our great state, and I’m pleased we’re using innovative methods to do just that.”

The Natrium technology features a 345MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor integrated with a molten salt-based energy storage system, which can increase output to 500MWe for more than five and a half hours when required. TerraPower emphasized that the system is designed to complement renewable resources. The company began construction on its first Natrium project in 2024 in Wyoming.

Previously, in December 2022, TerraPower noted that the in-service date for the Natrium reactor would be delayed by at least two years due to limited commercial capacity for manufacturing high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel, affecting the initially proposed 2028 timeline.

David Campbell, Evergy chairman and CEO, said: “Nuclear energy has been part of Evergy’s generation mix for decades, and this next step will allow us to explore the opportunity to add reliable, non-carbon-emitting advanced nuclear energy in the state of Kansas. This agreement supports our all-of-the-above energy strategy and will allow us to evaluate the cost, technology, and feasibility of potentially deploying Natrium advanced nuclear plants.”

The MOU reflects growing interest in advanced nuclear technology as part of a diversified energy strategy in Kansas. TerraPower’s Natrium concept is intended to provide flexible, dispatchable power to complement variable renewable generation, helping ensure grid reliability while reducing carbon emissions.

By leveraging collaboration between state authorities, utilities, and technology developers, the initiative aims to assess feasibility, regulatory requirements, and community engagement ahead of potential commercial deployment.

The partnership signals continued exploration of non-carbon-emitting energy solutions in the U.S., integrating advanced nuclear with renewable and conventional resources to support Kansas’ long-term energy goals.