TerraPower, a leader in nuclear innovation, has formed a significant partnership with Meta to develop up to eight Natrium® reactor plants in the United States. This agreement aims to enhance the reliability of the U.S. energy grid by providing up to 2.8 GW of carbon-free, baseload energy, with potential output increasing to 4 GW due to the integrated energy storage capabilities of the Natrium technology.
The announcement, made on January 9, 2026, in Bellevue, Washington, underscores a crucial step towards meeting the growing energy demands across the nation. Under the terms of the commercial agreement, Meta will fund the deployment of the Natrium plants, with the first units expected to be operational as early as 2032. This collaboration marks Meta’s largest investment in advanced nuclear technology to date.
“To successfully address growing energy demand, we must deploy gigawatts of advanced nuclear energy in the 2030s,” said Chris Levesque, President and CEO of TerraPower. “This agreement with Meta is designed to support the rapid deployment of our Natrium technology that provides the reliable, flexible, and carbon-free power our country needs.”
The Natrium reactor, developed in partnership with GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, is designed to produce 345 MW of baseload power, with a built-in energy storage system capable of delivering an additional 500 MW for over five hours. A dual Natrium unit can therefore provide up to 690 MW of reliable power, with peak dispatchable electricity reaching 1 GW.
As part of this agreement, the companies will focus on identifying a site for the initial dual reactor unit in the coming months. The Natrium technology is currently leading the advanced reactor sector in commercial readiness, positioning itself to support the increasing energy needs particularly from data centers.
Meta’s initiative to invest in the Natrium project is part of its broader strategy to secure innovative energy solutions. “This agreement with TerraPower is a significant step forward in advancing next-generation nuclear technology,” noted Urvi Parekh, Director of Global Energy at Meta. “Supporting new nuclear energy generation spurs job growth, drives innovation in our local communities, and reinforces America’s leadership in energy technology.”
This partnership also includes early development activities for two Natrium units, with the option for Meta to secure energy from up to six additional units. The technology’s progress is notable, as TerraPower has already begun construction on the first commercial-scale advanced nuclear project in the United States, which is anticipated to be completed by 2030.
The Natrium plant is the first advanced nuclear technology to have a complete environmental impact statement and a final safety review as part of its construction permit application, currently pending with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
TerraPower aims to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges through nuclear energy and science. Founded by Bill Gates and a group of visionary leaders, the company is committed to developing technologies that promote energy independence and environmental sustainability.
For more details about TerraPower and its initiatives, visit their official website at terrapower.com.
