Washington state’s only nuclear plant planning $700M uprate
The Bonneville Power Administration recently approved a $700 million extended uprate project for Energy Northwest to increase its nuclear plant electrical output by 186 MW by 2031.
Following an 18-month analysis, BPA’s decision, issued May 20, sets a path for Energy Northwest to make a six-year plan for an uprate at the Columbia nuclear power plant, which is located in eastern Washington state and is the region's third-largest generating plant.
Energy Northwest and BPA will collaborate on planning and implementation. Once completed, the additional 162 MW of firm capacity could power approximately 125,000 homes, strengthening the Pacific Northwest's energy portfolio, the companies said in a news release.
Energy Northwest plans to submit its license amendment request for the extended power uprate to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2028.
Quotable: “We applaud BPA for its decision to approve this project and for its strategic vision in advancing our region's future with additional, reliable capacity that nuclear energy can provide,” said Bob Schuetz, chief executive at Energy Northwest. “Their leadership in supporting this initiative underscores a commitment to affordable and carbon-free electricity for the Northwest region, including our public power member utilities and their customers.”
BPA chief executive John Hairston added, “This is a great value for ratepayers in the Pacific Northwest. Upgrading an existing resource to provide additional reliable energy will help BPA keep pace with its customers growing electricity needs and keep rates low.”
“Expanding America's nuclear energy capacity will be essential for meeting growing demand for affordable, reliable, and secure energy," said Michael Goff, the Department of Energy’s acting undersecretary for infrastructure. “This project exemplifies the energy vision for America by unleashing new power generation for the people of the Pacific Northwest without raising costs.”
A closer look: The Columbia plant is a 1,207-MW nuclear energy facility near Richland, Wash. The extended power uprate will involve about 30 projects to increase electrical output by upgrading and replacing equipment—including turbines, heat exchangers, and the generator—while maintaining high safety standards and improving reliability.
The primary focus will be on increasing the size of pumps and motors in the plant. This work will be done during the plant’s biennial refueling outages in 2027, 2029, and 2031, creating new job opportunities for skilled workers and adding 162 MW output.
In addition, Energy Northwest plans to add 24 MW through energy-efficiency upgrades during the three refueling outages, bringing the total increase to 186 MW. This expanded capacity will add to BPA's federal system power, serving consumer-owned utilities across six northwestern states.
According to the companies, the extended power uprate project marks a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between Energy Northwest and BPA, showcasing their shared commitment to advancing reliable energy solutions. Increasing Columbia’s capacity also enhances the reliability of the region’s power supply and contributes to a sustainable future.
