Konecranes Secures Major Nuclear Crane Order for TerraPower Natrium Project
30 Second Takeaway
Konecranes has received an order for four advanced cranes to support construction of TerraPower’s Natrium nuclear plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming. Supplied to Bechtel, the project’s EPC partner, the cranes will serve critical roles across the nuclear island, energy island and fabrication facilities. Combined with a previous 2024 contract, Konecranes will now supply five cranes to the Natrium project.
Advanced Cranes for Next-Generation Nuclear Power
Konecranes has been awarded a significant order to supply four specialised cranes for the construction of TerraPower’s Natrium Plant, an advanced nuclear reactor project incorporating integrated energy storage.
The cranes will be delivered to Bechtel, which is responsible for engineering, procurement and construction of the facility, and will support operations across multiple areas of the site.
Critical Roles Across the Plant
The four cranes will be installed in key plant locations and engineered for highly specialised nuclear and industrial lifting tasks.
Crane Scope Includes:
Reactor Fabrication Building Crane
125-ton main lift + 15-ton auxiliary
Supports on-site fabrication and assembly
Fuel Handling Bridge Crane
150-ton main lift + 30-ton auxiliary
ASME NOG-1 Type 1, single-failure-proof
Reactor Building Bridge Crane
150-ton main lift + 30-ton auxiliary
ASME NOG-1 Type 1, single-failure-proof
Turbine Facility Bridge Crane
100-ton main lift + 20-ton auxiliary
Supports turbine assembly, maintenance and repair
Nuclear-Grade Safety and Reliability
Konecranes confirmed that all cranes will be manufactured under its highest quality assurance standards, with the nuclear-rated cranes incorporating extensive safety and reliability features.
These include:
Seismic restraints
Radiation-resistant components
Sister hooks
Redundant hoist machinery
Additional structural safeguards
The design ensures compliance with strict nuclear industry regulations and is intended to prevent dropped loads under all operating conditions.
Building on an Existing Partnership
The new order follows an earlier contract awarded in 2024, bringing the total number of Konecranes units supplied to the Natrium project to five.
Andrew Grooms, Regional Sales Manager, Konecranes Nuclear Equipment & Service, said the order reflects Konecranes’ ability to meet Bechtel’s rigorous technical and quality requirements.
Suchit Chopra, Bechtel Project Director, noted that the cranes represent another important milestone in delivering advanced nuclear power infrastructure for Wyoming.
About Konecranes
Konecranes is a global leader in industrial lifting solutions, providing cranes, lifting equipment and services to industries including nuclear power, ports, manufacturing and heavy process sectors. The company is recognised for its expertise in nuclear-grade crane engineering, safety systems and lifecycle support.
Website https://www.konecranes.com
About TerraPower
TerraPower is an advanced nuclear technology company developing next-generation reactor systems, including the Natrium reactor, which combines a sodium-cooled fast reactor with integrated energy storage to support grid flexibility and low-carbon energy generation.
Website https://www.terrapower.com
About Bechtel
Bechtel is one of the world’s leading engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies, with extensive experience delivering complex infrastructure, energy and nuclear projects globally.
Wesbite https://www.bechtel.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cranes is Konecranes supplying to the Natrium project?
Konecranes will supply five cranes in total, including four under the latest order.
What standards do the nuclear cranes meet?
The nuclear cranes are ASME NOG-1 Type 1, single-failure-proof and designed to meet stringent nuclear safety requirements.
Where is the Natrium Plant located?
The plant is being built in Kemmerer, Wyoming, USA.
Who is the EPC contractor for the project?
Bechtel is serving as TerraPower’s engineering, procurement and construction partner.
What makes these cranes critical to the project?
They support reactor fabrication, fuel handling, turbine installation and maintenance, all requiring exceptional safety, reliability and precision.
