QAZAQ GREEN.  Billionaire philanthropist and technology pioneer Bill Gates wrote in his blog that in Kemmerer, Wyoming he celebrated the breakthrough in nuclear power technology. Gates' company, TerraPower, has been working on the design and construction of the Natrium plant for more than 15 years, and he believes it will be a significant win for the local economy, energy independence, and climate change.

The Natrium facility is designed to be the most advanced nuclear power plant in the world, producing far less waste and being much safer than conventional reactors. The plant's improved safety features include using liquid sodium to cool the reactor, which can absorb a massive amount of heat while maintaining a consistent pressure, even in emergencies, unlike water-cooled reactors.

What sets the Natrium design apart is its energy storage system, which allows it to control how much electricity it produces, making it easy to integrate with power grids that use variable sources such as solar and wind. The digital design process, using supercomputers, has simulated every possible disaster to ensure the design's safety, and it has drawn global interest, including an agreement to collaborate on nuclear power technology in Japan and investments from South Korean and multinational companies.

The project's economic benefits are significant, with the facility set to employ between 200 and 250 people and bring 1,600 construction jobs to town. The project will also help Kemmerer transition equitably to a clean, safe energy future, ensuring workers from the coal plant that is scheduled to shut down can find jobs in the new plant.

Gates thanked local leaders and members of the community, who have been welcoming and supportive, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, who have provided strong support for the project. Gates' presence in Kemmerer has drawn attention to the significance of this nuclear breakthrough and what it means for the future of energy innovation.