Evergy signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Kansas Department of Commerce and nuclear energy firm TerraPower to explore reactors and energy storage technologies to advance nuclear technology.
The deal represents the latest step in talks about a possible “advanced nuclear power plant” in Kansas with emphasis on the deployment of TerraPower’s Natrium technology. The project aims to explore new ways to serve Evergy customers and expand Kansas’s nuclear energy capacity.
Natrium technology combines a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt based energy storage system, enabling output to scale up to 500 megawatts when required. This project to advance nuclear technology would complement the first Natrium demonstration facility, which began construction last year in Wyoming.
Nuclear energy has been integral to Evergy’s power portfolio since the Wolf Creek plant started operations near Burlington four decades ago. Wolf Creek currently delivers roughly 1,200 megawatts, powering over 800,000 homes. It contributes more than 20 percent of Kansas’s electricity and over 35 percent of the state’s emissions-free power, relying on pressurized water, unlike Natrium.
Founded in 2008 by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, TerraPower has focused on developing advanced nuclear technology. Site selection for a new reactor will depend on factors including physical location, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing, access to existing infrastructure, and community support. According to Evergy spokesperson Gina Penzig, early-stage planning is underway, with the possibility of a Wolf Creek location still under consideration.
Evergy Chairman and CEO David Campbell said, “Nuclear energy has been part of Evergy’s generation mix for decades, and this next step will allow us to explore the opportunity to add reliable, non-carbon emitting advanced nuclear energy in the state of Kansas. This agreement supports our all-of-the-above energy strategy and will allow us to evaluate the cost, technology, and feasibility of potentially deploying Natrium advanced nuclear plants.”
TerraPower President and CEO Chris Levesque added, “Our Natrium technology features a next-generation reactor with enhanced safety and efficiency, paired with utility-scale storage to ensure grid resilience. The TerraPower team is excited to advance conversations with Evergy, state leaders and local communities on the opportunities that the Natrium reactor and energy storage system brings to Kansas.”