TerraPower and KBR have agreed to cooperate in seeking potential deployment of an advanced nuclear reactor in the United Kingdom.
The two companies will jointly perform studies and evaluate potential sites for development of TerraPower’s Natrium reactor and energy storage system, according to TerraPower’s Monday press release.
A Natrium reactor is a 345-megawatt sodium fast reactor, with a molten salt-based energy storage system. The storage technology has the capability of increasing the system’s capacity to 500-megawatts of energy.
Each Natrium reactor is projected to create 1,600 construction jobs and 250 full-time permanent jobs, according to the press release. In the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is looking at a TerraPower application to build a new nuclear reactor in Wyoming.
TerraPower and KBR hope the just-announced project will help grow nuclear and construction skills, UK domestic supply chain and support UK’s potential to partake in future global export opportunities, the Bellevue, Wash.-based advanced nuclear technology company said.
KBR, formerly known as Kellogg Brown and Root, is an engineering and science solutions company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company also has other international locations, including some in the UK.
The agreement also builds on the companies’ preexisting alliance formed in March. The two companies previously agreed on deploying Natrium plants in North America, UK, Europe and more.
“Expanding our collaboration with TerraPower to the United Kingdom marks a significant milestone in advancing clean, reliable energy solutions globally,” president of KBR sustainable technology solutions Jay Ibrahim said in the release. “By combining KBR’s leading program management and project delivery capabilities with TerraPower’s expertise in advanced nuclear technology; this collaboration aims to deliver cost-effective, scalable energy solutions for clients globally.”