Kansas has entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Evergy and TerraPower to study siting an advanced nuclear plant in Kansas territory. The agreement signals state interest in next-gen nuclear as part of its energy future.
Natrium Technology & Project Vision
TerraPower’s proposed Natrium reactor is a sodium-cooled fast reactor design paired with a molten salt energy storage system. The model targets 345 MW of electrical output, with built-in gigawatt-scale storage capabilities. Unlike conventional light water reactors, Natrium aims to improve grid flexibility through storage and modular performance. The exploration will analyze how this technology might support Evergy’s grid demands in Kansas.
What the MOU Covers
Under the MOU, TerraPower and Evergy will assess site locations, technical design, grid connectivity, regulatory feasibility, and community support. The analysis will include infrastructure compatibility and licensing challenges. Selection criteria will weigh physical site characteristics, regulatory path via the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and proximity to existing transmission assets.
Project Factsheet — Kansas / Evergy / TerraPower Natrium Study
Parties Kansas Department of Commerce, Evergy, TerraPower
Reactor Technology Natrium sodium-cooled fast reactor + molten salt energy storage
Proposed Output ~345 MW electrical
Key Features Integrated energy storage, fast reactor design
Scope of MOU Site evaluation, design review, regulatory study, grid integration
Cost Benchmark Comparable Wyoming Natrium project, approx. $4 billion
Timeline Preliminary study period now; subsequent phases to follow
Strategic Goal Reliable, low-carbon baseload support for Kansas utility customers
State & Utility Perspective
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly framed the move as part of an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, emphasizing innovation and resilience. Evergy’s CEO David Campbell said the company seeks to expand reliable, low-carbon options for customers.
Still, some stakeholders caution about high capital costs. For example, TerraPower’s Wyoming Natrium project is estimated at $4 billion. The U.S. Department of Energy is funding half of that.
Comparisons: Other U.S. Advanced Reactor Projects
Kansas’s move aligns with a few other U.S. efforts to build advanced reactors:
Wyoming Natrium: Already under construction, this plant is often cited as TerraPower’s flagship project.
NuScale SMR (Oregon / Utah): This smaller modular reactor design received U.S. regulatory approval and is being pursued by utilities for safer, scalable nuclear deployment. Similar to Valar Atomics’ Ward 250 reactor now under construction in Utah, the project reflects how advanced nuclear technologies are gaining traction as part of a diversified energy future.
Sierra Club and Department of Energy support: The DOE has issued funding and R&D backing to several advanced reactor designs, signaling policy alignment.
Kansas’s exploration of a large Natrium reactor is more ambitious than many current SMR projects, given its higher output and integrated energy storage.
Why This Move Is Significant
This agreement marks Kansas’s serious step into advanced nuclear. It shows that states beyond coastal zones or major research hubs are now willing to consider cutting-edge nuclear. The scale and ambition, especially with integrated energy storage, could make this a pathfinding project.
It also showcases how utility and state collaboration matters. If Kansas proceeds, it could attract federal investment and private capital. Finally, successful execution would position Kansas as one of the first U.S. states to host a next-gen reactor of this class, influencing broader adoption of advanced nuclear across the country.
