RICHLAND, Wash. – Energy Northwest today unveiled the official name and new images of its proposed small modular reactor (SMR) facility in Washington state, marking a milestone one year after announcing its partnership with X-energy and Amazon. The proposed project – now officially called Cascade Advanced Energy Facility – is poised to be the first SMR in the Pacific Northwest.
“Today marks a pivotal step forward in bringing this transformative project to life,” said Bob Schuetz, CEO of Energy Northwest. “We are proud to be at the forefront of deploying advanced nuclear technology in the region—driving next-generation solutions that strengthen energy security and position the Pacific Northwest as a clean energy leader.”
"Seeing these renderings is truly inspiring, and a reminder that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand,” stated Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer, Amazon. “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. I'm excited about the potential of SMRs and the positive impact they will have on both the environment and local communities."
“This historic partnership is leading a new era for energy in the United States, driven by our mutual goal of enhancing energy reliability and resilience to meet the growing power demands of an evolving economy,” said X-energy CEO J. Clay Sell. “This first glimpse represents both technology innovation and the vast possibilities that lay before us with advanced nuclear power.”
Since the 2024 announcement, Energy Northwest has focused on engagement with stakeholders and Tribal Nations, conducting environmental reviews, safety evaluations, permitting, licensing and risk analyses to prepare for a construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. These ongoing activities are laying the groundwork for delivering reliable, around-the-clock, carbon-free energy to meet the region’s rising energy demands.
Energy Northwest has also selected AtkinsRéalis as the project’s technical advisor, drawing on the company’s extensive technical and operational expertise.
Additionally, Energy Northwest has acquired an Energy Learning Center in collaboration with Columbia Basin College and with funding from the DOE’s Community Capacity Building Grant Program. The Energy Learning Center, which will be located at Washington State University’s Institute for Northwest Energy Futures campus and will include a simulator that replicates X-energy's control room. This education simulator, which will be operational later this year, will give students hands-on experience with the technology that will power X-energy's Xe-100 reactors.
About Cascade Advanced Energy Facility
Energy Northwest’s Cascade Advanced Energy Facility is projected to generate 320 megawatts (MW) of carbon-free, reliable energy, and when fully built out, up to 960MW. It is also expected to create more than 1,000 temporary construction jobs during construction and over 100 permanent family-wage positions once operational, spanning nuclear operations, engineering and other specialized fields.
The project’s timeline is expected to follow X-energy and Dow’s first-of-a-kind deployment of the same reactor technology for the Long Mott Generating Station project in Seadrift, Texas, part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.
Construction is anticipated to begin by the end of the decade, with operations targeted for the 2030s.
Visuals of the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility are now available:
Additional Resources
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Media Contacts:
Kelly Rae, Public Affairs
509-372-5376
klrae@energy-northwest.com
Jackie Eutsey, Nuclear Development
509-372-5478
jeutsey@energy-northwest.com
About Energy Northwest
Energy Northwest is a Washington state public power joint operating agency and a premier provider of carbon-free electricity. Energy Northwest comprises 29 public power member utilities, serving more than 1.5 million customers, and provides its members and regional customers with safe, reliable, cost-effective, responsible power generation and innovative energy and business solutions. The agency owns and operates hydroelectric, solar, battery storage, wind and the Northwest's only nuclear power facility. Energy Northwest also actively supports transportation electrification and new generation projects to the benefit of public power.
