Konecranes has received an order for four advanced cranes to support the construction of TerraPower’s Natrium Plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The plant is an advanced nuclear reactor project featuring an integrated energy storage system. The cranes will be supplied to Bechtel, TerraPower’s engineering, procurement and construction partner, and will play critical roles across the nuclear island, energy island and an on-site fabrication facility.
The order follows an earlier contract awarded in 2024, bringing the total number of cranes supplied by Konecranes for the Natrium project to five.
The four cranes will be installed in key plant areas and designed for specialized functions. These include a Reactor Fabrication Building crane with up to 125-ton capacity (plus 15-ton auxiliary) to support on-site assembly and fabrication, and two ASME NOG-1 Type 1 single-failure-proof nuclear-rated cranes: the Fuel Handling Bridge crane and the Reactor Building crane, each offering 150-ton main lift capacity (plus 30-ton auxiliary). A 100-ton Turbine Facility Bridge crane (plus 20-ton auxiliary) will support turbine assembly, maintenance and repair.
Konecranes stated that all cranes will be manufactured under the highest quality assurance standards. The nuclear-rated cranes will feature advanced safety and reliability elements such as seismic restraints, radiation-resistant components, sister hooks, redundant hoist machinery and additional structural safeguards designed to prevent dropped loads in line with strict nuclear industry requirements.
Andrew Grooms, Regional Sales Manager, Konecranes Nuclear Equipment & Service, said the order highlights Konecranes’ ability to meet Bechtel’s strict standards, while Bechtel Project Director Suchit Chopra noted the equipment marks another step forward in delivering nuclear power commitments for Wyoming.
