TerraPower and PacifiCorp have initiated a joint study to evaluate the feasibility of deploying up to five additional Natrium reactor (5 x 345 MW) and integrated energy storage systems in the PacifiCorp service territory (United States) by 2035. The Natrium technology is a 345 MW sodium fast reactor coupled with a molten salt-based integrated energy storage system. The system can boost power output to 500 MW for more than five and a half hours to serve peak demand.
The joint study will evaluate, among other things, the potential for advanced reactors to be located near current fossil-fired generation sites, enabling PacifiCorp to repurpose existing generation and transmission assets. The location of future Natrium plants will be explored through this study process, and both companies will engage with local communities before any final sites are selected.
PacifiCorp and TerraPower unveiled in 2021 their plans to bring the Natrium demonstration plant to Kemmerer, Wyoming, where a PacifiCorp coal-fired power plant is slated for retirement. PacifiCorp provides electric service to 2 million customers in six western states through its affiliates Rocky Mountain Power in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho and Pacific Power in Oregon, Washington and California.