TerraPower, ASP to Build HALEU Plant in South Africa

October 31, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

Key Figures & Findings:
TerraPower, an American nuclear innovation company co-founded by Bill Gates, has partnered with ASP Isotopes, Inc. a company focused on the enrichment and development of advanced nuclear fuels. to establish a high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) facility in South Africa. This project aims to support TerraPower’s Natrium small modular reactor (SMR) in Wyoming and underscores the company’s commitment to advancing nuclear energy's role in global clean energy solutions. ASP Isotopes, through its subsidiary Quantum Leap Energy LLC, will lead the project, building on its expertise in enrichment technology and its existing work on three isotope enrichment facilities in South Africa.

Statistics & Insights:
The HALEU facility is projected to cost approximately $100 million, with ASP Isotopes currently securing financial backing from institutional investors. TerraPower’s agreement includes a decade-long HALEU supply contract, ensuring fuel availability as its Natrium reactors become operational.

Future Implications:
The HALEU facility is expected to launch in 2027, providing a dependable source of fuel for TerraPower’s reactors If successful, this project could lead to increased investments in nuclear fuel technology within Africa.