TerraPower Expands Natrium Supply Chain with New Supplier Contracts

Supply Chain Expansion for Natrium Project

TerraPower has awarded contracts to multiple suppliers for components of its Natrium reactor technology. These agreements are part of TerraPower's strategy to build a resilient supply chain for the deployment of Natrium reactors. The selected suppliers include Merrick & Company (two contracts), Mirion Technologies Inc, BWXT Canada Ltd, Teledyne Brown Engineering Inc, Marmen Inc, Thermal Engineering International (USA) Inc, Jensen Hughes, Boston Government Services LLC, James Fisher Technologies LLC, KROHNE Nuclear, and Valserve.

These contracts are intended to support the construction of the first Natrium plant and the sodium test and fill facility, both located in Kemmerer, Wyoming. TerraPower initiated non-nuclear construction for the first Natrium plant in June 2024, with completion anticipated by 2030. This project is being developed under the US Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. The Natrium reactor is a collaborative technology from TerraPower and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy.

Natrium Technology and Future Deployment

The Natrium technology incorporates a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor paired with a molten salt-based energy storage system. This storage capability allows the plant to temporarily increase its output to 500 MWe, facilitating load following and integration with intermittent renewable energy sources. TerraPower has already secured all long-lead items and the entire reactor enclosure system for the initial project.

Beyond the first plant, TerraPower has an agreement with Meta for the potential deployment of up to eight Natrium plants by 2035. The company emphasizes that securing supplier contracts is crucial for meeting project milestones and preparing the US manufacturing sector for the projected growth in advanced nuclear deployment. Pat Young, senior vice president and Natrium project director at TerraPower, stated that these contracts strengthen their network of qualified partners.

Last month, TerraPower also signed agreements with Hyundai Engineering & Construction (HDEC) and SK Innovation from South Korea. These agreements aim to develop and commercialize Natrium reactor technology across the USA, Korea, and other international markets. These collaborations followed a trilateral memorandum of understanding signed in May between HD Hyundai, TerraPower, and HDEC to cooperate on next-generation sodium reactor projects.

India Targets 100 GW Nuclear Power by 2047 Amidst Energy Mix Shift

India plans to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047, according to Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority. This target is part of a national strategy to expand electricity's share in the country's overall energy mix from the current 22 percent to 45-50 percent by the same year. The energy mix encompasses fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewables.

Prasad emphasized the importance of systemic innovation and supply chain resilience to support this growth. He highlighted the need to prevent disruptions in the supply of essential equipment, such as transformers, reactors, and advanced grid components. The country is undertaking significant transmission projects, valued at Rs 4 lakh crore (USD 40 billion), to evacuate 266 GW of power and plans for 600 GVA of transformation capacity.

The expansion of the power sector is crucial for meeting the increasing demands of industry, mobility, and digital infrastructure, and for supporting India's economic transformation and net-zero goals. India also aims to double its 2030 renewables target and achieve 100 GW of pumped hydro storage by 2035-36.

Blykalla Seeks State Aid for Second SMR Plant in Sweden

On August 25, Blykalla submitted a proposal to the Swedish government for a nuclear power plant at Untra. The proposed facility would incorporate up to eight lead-cooled small modular reactors (SMRs), achieving a total capacity of up to 440 MWe. This marks the second such application from Blykalla, following a May submission for a six-unit project in Norrsundet, both located in east-central Sweden.

Blykalla has established Untra Nuclear Power AB to serve as the license holder and financing vehicle for the Untra plant. The company anticipates that strategic and financial investors will join its ownership structure over time. Blykalla, through Untra Nuclear Power, has applied for state support for the construction of the Untra plant, having previously sought government financing for its Norrsundet project in early June.

The Swedish state aid framework is designed to support new nuclear power initiatives through a state loan, a two-way contract for difference, and a risk-sharing mechanism. The specific terms of this state aid are negotiated between the project company and the Swedish state, with any support requiring approval from the European Commission in accordance with EU State aid rules. Negotiations commence once the government decides to proceed with an application.

Following the receipt of Blykalla's application for the Untra nuclear power plant, the government has directed the County Administrative Board in Uppsala County to prepare a facility plan. This plan will guide the use of land and water areas for the nuclear facility. Recent legislation permits government approval of an application if a valid facility plan exists for the proposed facility. The construction plan must include an environmental impact statement and a plan description, detailing planning conditions and implementation strategies. This plan is due by April 30, 2027.

Blykalla, originally founded in 2013 as a joint stock company and formerly known as LeadCold, is developing the SEALER (Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor). The company's objective is to have its first 140 MWt/55 MWe SEALER-55 commercial reactor operational in the early 2030s. Jacob Stedman, CEO of Blykalla, stated that an efficient review process could enable the first reactor at Untra to be operational during the first half of the 2030s, addressing the significant and growing need for dispatchable power in that region of Sweden.

Sweden's government adopted a positive stance towards nuclear energy in October 2022. In November 2023, a roadmap was unveiled, projecting the construction of new nuclear generating capacity equivalent to at least two large-scale reactors (2,500 MWe) by 2035, with up to 10 new large-scale reactors (potentially including SMRs) by 2045. A new act on state aid, which came into force on August 1, 2025, has enabled companies to apply for this support. To date, approval has been sought for nuclear facilities at five sites, totaling up to 3,700 MWe, with financial support applications for nuclear reactors at two additional locations, encompassing seven projects seeking state aid.