RICHLAND, Wash. – Columbia Generating Station, the Northwest’s sole nuclear energy facility, generated nearly 9.8 million megawatt hours of electricity during the fiscal year that ended June 30—eclipsing a previous record of 9.5 million megawatt hours in fiscal year 2006 and it’s calendar year record of more than 9.3 million megawatt hours in 2012.

Ratepayers in the Pacific Northwest have reason to celebrate: The 1,170-megawatt nuclear energy facility, which is operated by Energy Northwest in Richland, sells all power from Columbia at cost to the Bonneville Power Administration.

“Columbia Generating Station is at a level of productivity and efficiency never achieved before,” said Sid Morrison, Energy Northwest Executive Board chair, today at the agency’s monthly executive board meeting.

Columbia Generating Station has operated more than four and a half years without an unplanned shutdown, and Energy Northwest recently surpassed 12 million work-hours without a lost-time injury to employees.

“This performance is a testament to our organization’s alignment to a performance excellence model,” said Brad Sawatzke, vice president of nuclear generation, in a message to employees. “Most importantly, the team reached this milestone while performing safely in all areas of nuclear, radiological, industrial and environmental safety.”

“When you think about what nuclear brings to our country relative to the stability of the electric grid with performance like this – and this is reflective of industry performance – it underscores the importance of nuclear power to our country’s diverse energy mix,” Sawatzke said. 

About Energy Northwest
Energy Northwest develops, owns and operates a diverse mix of electricity generating resources, including hydro, solar and wind projects – and the Northwest’s only nuclear power plant. These projects provide enough reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible energy to power more than a million homes each year, and that carbon-free electricity is provided at the cost of generation. As a Washington state joint operating agency, Energy Northwest comprises 27 public power member utilities from across the state serving more than 1.5 million ratepayers. The agency continually explores new generation projects to meet its members’ needs.