Tata Chemicals is pursuing the use of nuclear microreactors to help power its Green River manufacturing site.
Tata Chemicals North America recently announced that its subsidiary, Tata Chemicals Soda Ash Partners LLC, has signed a letter of intent with BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC to explore the deployment of up to eight nuclear microreactors. The two companies have been collaborating since September of 2023 on the feasibility of integrating BWXT's Advanced Nuclear Reactor for electricity and industrial processing at TCSAP's Green River manufacturing site, according to a press release. With the new letter of intent, the companies will expand their collaboration, develop terms and conditions for purchasing the microreactors, and "establish the schedule and key milestones along the path to deploying them by the early 2030s," the press release announced.
"Once deployed, BANR microreactors would deliver on-demand electricity and process heat that is both carbon-free and resilient from external disruptions for one of the world's leading producers of high-quality soda ash," the press release explained. "TCSAP sees nuclear power as an important energy source in its pursuit of a more secure and sustainable supply chain and in providing a low carbon footprint product."
John Mulhall, Managing Director of Tata Chemicals North America shared, "the LOI represents an important next step in our vision of generating energy in an efficient and sustainable manner that will benefit the company, our customers and the community."
"We are excited to expand our collaboration with TCSAP and believe we are laying out a credible path, both technically and commercially, to bring nuclear reactors to southwestern Wyoming," said Joe Miller, President of BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC.
"This LOI is an incredibly positive step forward for the expanding nuclear sector in Wyoming," stated Rob Creager, Executive Director of the Wyoming Energy Authority. "As a longtime energy leader, it is crucial for us to continue to bring public-private investments like this to Wyoming. Supporting the trona industry while creating and extending the state's portfolio of baseload power is a win for everyone."
Tata Chemicals has been mining and processing trona ore by Green River since 1968.
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