Columbia Generating Station is a 1,207 MW boiling water reactor operated by Energy Northwest in Richland, Washington. Since 1984, it has supplied carbon-free electricity to the Bonneville Power Administration grid, helping power the Pacific Northwest.
Meeting Growing Energy Demand
As the need for clean, reliable electricity continues to rise, increasing the output of existing nuclear plants through power uprates is a cost-effective solution.
Unlike intermittent sources like wind and solar, nuclear energy provides a constant and stable source of supply. Reactors operate 24/7 at high capacity, making them a crucial component of a reliable energy infrastructure.
What is a Power Uprate?
Since the 1970s, nuclear power plant operators have implemented power uprates to increase electricity output. One type, an Extended Power Uprate (EPU), is a process in which a nuclear power plant increases its maximum power output beyond the original thermal power level, typically by upgrading key components such as turbines, pumps and heat exchangers to handle higher energy loads.
EPU at Columbia Generating Station
In 2020, Energy Northwest began a feasibility study to evaluate the technical and financial viability of an EPU. The study examined regional power needs and engaged internal and external experts. Over the next two years, the team collaborated with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and regional stakeholders to assess cost impacts and align on next steps.
If approved and implemented, an EPU would increase Columbia’s electric generating capacity from the current 1,207 MW to 1,369 MW in 2031. The additional 162 megawatts could provide power equivalent to about 125,000 homes.
Project Timeline
July 2023 – Initiation of the formal EPU study
April 2025 – Approval of the business case by Energy Northwest Executive Board
May 2025 – Anticipated decision from Bonneville Power Administration
Implementation Timeline
The Extended Power Uprate at Columbia Generating Station is planned to roll out over the next six years, with physical equipment updates being completed during each scheduled refueling outage in 2027, 2029, and 2031.
As part of the uprate and Columbia’s broader life cycle management plan, several major components will be replaced or refurbished to ensure continued safe, efficient and reliable operation well into the future.