In a major advancement for the U.S. nuclear energy industry, TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, has taken a major step to secure a stable supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU).
TerraPower’s recent partnership with ASP Isotopes involves the production of HALEU, which is currently available commercially only from Russia, posing supply challenges, particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted global supply routes. HALEU plays a central role in the development of advanced nuclear reactors designed to meet modern energy needs.
Under the agreement, TerraPower will collaborate with ASP Isotopes to construct a HALEU enrichment facility in South Africa, leveraging ASP Isotopes’ advanced laser-based enrichment technology. This facility is expected to support TerraPower’s flagship Natrium reactor project in Wyoming. The Natrium reactor, a $4 billion project, represents the world’s first coal-to-nuclear energy transition and is set to demonstrate the potential of next-generation nuclear energy.
“TerraPower has been working diligently to ensure a stable, secure HALEU supply chain for our Natrium reactors,” stated Chris Levesque, TerraPower’s President and CEO, expressing confidence in ASP Isotopes’ capabilities and timeline.
Beyond serving TerraPower’s immediate needs, this agreement contributes to TerraPower’s broader goal of securing a domestic HALEU supply and reducing dependency on foreign sources. As a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s HALEU Consortium, TerraPower has actively engaged with industry partners to bolster domestic production.
The Natrium reactor itself is an advanced 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor that includes a molten salt-based energy storage system capable of increasing output to 500 MWe for over five hours, offering a reliable complement to renewable energy sources.
According to TerraPower, “Non-nuclear construction activities began this summer, making it the first advanced reactor project to move from design into construction.” The Natrium project is anticipated to provide a sustainable energy solution while helping the U.S. meet its climate goals.
ASP Isotopes, a company specializing in innovative laser-based enrichment technologies, has the potential to offer a more cost-effective and efficient uranium enrichment method compared to traditional centrifuge methods.
“Over the last several decades, the scientists at ASP Isotopes have developed some of the world’s most advanced isotope enrichment technologies,” ASP Isotopes’ Chairman and CEO, Paul Mann, noted.