A year after announcing a proposed new nuclear project between multinational retailer Amazon, nuclear developer X-energy and Energy Northwest, more details have emerged, including plans to begin construction within the next five years. 

Now called the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility, the project involves construction of small modular reactors, or SMRs, near Energy Northwest’s nuclear Columbia Generating Station. While initial plans call for building a facility generating 320 megawatts of power, renderings released by Amazon show what the facility would look like at full build-out and generating 960 megawatts. 

“This project isn’t just about new technology; it’s about creating a reliable source of carbon-free energy that will support our growing digital world,” said Kara Hurst, Amazon’s chief sustainability officer, in a statement. “I’m excited about the potential of SMRs and the positive impact they will have on both the environment and local communities.” 

The project is expected to generate more than 1,000 construction jobs and 100 permanent jobs once the facility is operational. 

Energy Northwest is currently focused on the site feasibility project, said Jackie Eutsey, the power generator’s strategic outreach program manager for new nuclear development, during a panel discussion at the Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) on Oct. 14. While that process and licensing with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will take time, there is momentum behind the project. 

“The state gave us $25 million to pursue all this,” she said, referring to an appropriation from the Legislature. “That has really solidified confidence in the project.” 

A schematic of the proposed Cascade Advanced Energy Facility identifies the different components of the facility that will house small modular reactors, or SMRs, and other support components.

| Courtesy Amazon

SMRs are next-generation nuclear reactors that are smaller than current commercial reactors with simpler designs, faster deployment, lower construction costs and less disruptive refueling processes. 

In an agreement with Energy Northwest, Amazon will provide two years of funding for the SMR project, supporting the necessary activities prior to construction, including permit applications. Energy Northwest will build, own and run the reactors, which will use X-energy’s Xe-100 design. Through the pact with Energy Northwest, Amazon will have the right to buy electricity from the first four reactors. If the others are built, the power will be available to Amazon and northwest utilities. 

“Over the past year, the support of Amazon has enabled us to accelerate progress on our technology, grow our team with world-class talent and expertise, and position the Cascade Advanced Energy Center at the forefront of energy innovation,” said J. Clay Sell, CEO of X-energy, in a statement. “The scale of this work is historic, and we are privileged to have world-class partners like Amazon and Energy Northwest in this effort.”   

In January, Energy Northwest chose AtkinsRéalis Group Inc. as the owner’s engineer, responsible for supporting the design, licensing, construction and commissioning of the future facility. Amazon has said construction is currently expected to start by the end of this decade, with operations targeted to start in the 2030s.    

Energy Northwest has also partnered with Columbia Basin College and Washington State University Tri-Cities to begin training the future workforce of the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility via certificate programs and a state-of-the-art training simulator based near the WSU Tri-Cities campus. 

“Investing in advanced training simulators prepares future operators and builds the foundation for a clean energy workforce that will power our region for decades to come,” said Bob Schuetz, CEO of Energy Northwest, in a statement. “This interactive experience helps demystify nuclear energy and goes beyond the textbook, showing students that a viable, meaningful career in clean energy is within reach – and that they can be part of something transformative.” 

The demand for power is already straining the region’s power grid, both through population growth in the Mid-Columbia but also increasingly power-hungry facilities, particularly the data centers behind artificial intelligence, or AI. Along with many already operated by Amazon in the region, there are various efforts and plans for additional data centers from West Richland to Hermiston.