Two of the companies planning to bring small modular nuclear reactors to the Tri-Cities are already planning for their next project. 

Maryland-based X-energy Inc. recently announced it has reached an agreement with American Electric Power to conduct a feasibility study for a potential 960-megawatt project in Indiana using its Xe-100 small modular reactor, or SMR. And just like X-energy’s SMR project planned north of Richland, Amazon is planning to foot part of the bill. 

The proposed project would redevelop the AEP-owned brownfield site of the retired Breed Generating Station in Sullivan County, Indiana, for advanced nuclear power. Just like in the Tri-Cities, a 12-unit SMR facility is being considered. Also similarly, Amazon’s partnership on the project reflects its efforts to secure power for its operations while also providing additional power to the regional grid. 

“With this development plan, we are working to bring together the resources to help meet unprecedented growth in energy demand with reliable baseload power while protecting affordability for existing customers,” said Bill Fehrman, AEP’s chairman, president and CEO, in a statement. “Our agreements with Amazon and X-energy will provide all necessary capital protections and financial safeguards that we have said are essential for any potential nuclear project to move forward.” 

The Cascade Advanced Energy Facility, which X-energy and Amazon have partnered with Energy Northwest on, is expected to begin construction in the next four years. Under a development agreement, Amazon would have first call on the facility’s power, ostensibly to power its planned data center at the Wallula Gap Business Park just south of the Tri-Cities.