Washington state nuclear plant approved for $700m upgrade to boost output

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) approved implementation of an Extended Power Uprate project that increases the output of Energy Northwest’s Columbia Generating Station.

The EPU is an approximately $700 million project that will increase the station’s electrical output by 162MW.

CGS is the region’s third largest generating resource and only operating nuclear energy plant.

“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, Energy Northwest CEO. “Their leadership in supporting this initiative underscores a commitment to affordable electricity for the Northwest region, including our public power member utilities and their customers.”

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Following 18 months of analysis, BPA’s approval allows the project to move into its next phase. Over the next six years, Energy Northwest and BPA will collaborate on planning and implementation.

The project is expected to be completed in 2031.

This is a great value for ratepayers in the Pacific Northwest,” said John Hairston, BPA administrator and CEO. “Upgrading an existing resource to provide additional reliable energy will help BPA keep pace with its customers’ growing electricity needs and keep rates low.”

Columbia Generating Station, a 1,207MW nuclear energy facility near Richland, Washington, is owned and operated by Energy Northwest. The EPU will increase electrical output by upgrading and replacing equipment — including turbines, heat exchangers and the generator.

The project will involve approximately 30 individual upgrades, primarily focused on increasing the size of pumps and motors.

Alongside the EPU, energy efficiency upgrades incorporated during the next three refueling outages in 2027, 2029 and 2031 are expected to add 24MW of output capacity, bringing the total increase to 186MW. This expanded capacity will be added to BPA’s federal system power, serving consumer-owned utilities across six Northwest states.

“President Trump and Secretary Wright have made it clear: expanding America’s nuclear energy capacity will be essential for meeting growing demand for affordable, reliable and secure energy,” said Michael Goff, Department of Energy 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.”

Originally published by Sean Wolfe on Factor This