TOKYO, Jan 1 – Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd are expected to work with the United States and Bill Gates to build a high-tech nuclear reactor in Wyoming, the daily Yomiuri reported on Saturday.
The parties will sign an agreement in early January for JAEA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to provide technical support and data from advanced Japanese reactors, the report quoted several anonymous sources as saying.
TerraPower, an advanced nuclear power plant founded by Gates, will open its Natrium facility in Wyoming in 2028. The U.S. government will provide funding to close part of the $ 4 billion project. Learn more
Terrapower first explored the possibility of building a nuclear test facility with state-owned company China National Nuclear Corp, and was forced to look for new partners after Donald Trump’s administration cut off nuclear deal with China.
The United States has been competing with China and Russia, which also hopes to develop and export more advanced reactors.
Japan, on the other hand, has a tragic history of the withdrawal of its upgraded Monju reactor in 2016, a project worth $ 8.5 billion but yielding small results and years of controversy.
The Monju Center has witnessed accidents, violations, and secrecy since its inception, and has been closed following public mistrust of nuclear power following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Both JAEA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries could not be reached for comment, as their offices were closed during the New Year holidays.