Energy Northwest Signs Agreement for Up to 12 Small Modular Reactors

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
July 19, 2023

Washington State-based Energy Northwest and X-Energy Reactor Company LLC on July 19 announced the signing of a joint development agreement for up to 12 advanced small modular reactors in central Washington capable of generating up to a total of 960 megawatts of electricity. Energy Northwest expects to bring the first module online by 2030. 

Under the agreement, the project is expected to be developed at a site controlled by Energy Northwest adjacent to Columbia Generating Station. 

Energy Northwest owns or operates numerous clean energy generating facilities throughout the Northwest region of the United States, including Columbia Generating Station in Richland, which is the only commercial nuclear energy facility in the region.

Each Xe-100 module can provide 80 megawatts of full-time electricity or 200 megawatts of high-temperature steam.

Energy Northwest and X-energy have engaged extensively on plans for an Xe-100 facility in central Washington since 2020.

The JDA defines and details the scope, location, and schedule under which the commercial development of the project will move forward.

Energy Northwest and X-energy will also work together to determine the best approaches to licensing and regulatory matters, as well as the project delivery model. 

Energy Northwest is a Washington state public power joint operating agency. Energy Northwest comprises 28 public power member utilities, serving more than 1.5 million customers.

Other Public Power Entities and SMRs

The Tennessee Valley Authority, Ontario Power Generation, Synthos Green Energy, and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy in March 2023 said that they are teaming up to advance the global deployment of a small modular reactor.

TVA, OPG and SGE will invest in the development of the GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy BWRX-300 standard design and detailed design for key components, including reactor pressure vessel and internals.

Meanwhile, participants’ governing boards in the Carbon Free Power Project being developed by Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems are moving forward with the development and deployment of a small modular reactor project, UAMPS reported on Feb. 28. With the commitments, the CFPP Project Management Committee approved a new budget and plan of finance.

And in January, the Nebraska Public Power District said it is beginning the process of studying sites that could have the potential to host advanced small modular nuclear reactors.