Grant PUD enters next-gen nuclear partnership

Grant PUD announced last week that it would join in a partnership with two other entities to pursue building a nuclear power project. 

The county-based utility that already operates two hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River will work with Energy Northwest and X-energy, in a "TRi Energy Partnership," a "mutual partnership to support the development and commercial demonstration of the country's first advanced nuclear reactor," the public utility district announced in a press release Thursday.

Energy Northwest operates the Columbia Generating Station nuclear plant north of Richland.

The U.S. Dept. of Energy awarded X-energy $80 million last October in initial funding to build an advanced nuclear reactor.

"The partners will collaborate and share resources to evaluate their mutual goal of siting, building, and operating a Xe-100 advanced nuclear power plant at an existing Energy Northwest site north of Richland, with the potential to generate up to 320 megawatts of reliable, carbon-free energy," the release states. "Through the TRi Energy Partnership, the parties will evaluate each step of the project and identify the best approach to licensing, permitting, construction, operation, and ownership."

Supporting documents included with the press release explain that the project, estimated to be complete and online in 2027-2028, will cost about $2.4 billion, with half the funds coming from the Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, and half from "private investment, capital and financing."

The Xe-100 reactor is described as "meltdown proof," using TRISO (TRi-structural ISOtropic particle) fuel, which cannot overheat.

The partnership was announced on the morning of April 1 at a signing event of a non-binding memorandum of understanding in Richland, Washington, where the three chief executives delivered remarks:

"As Washington state implements the Clean Energy Transformation Act – requiring 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045 – new sources of reliable, affordable and emissions-free electricity will be needed across the region," said Brad Sawatzke, Energy Northwest chief executive officer. "Advanced nuclear energy can and should play a vital role in our state's clean energy future: it does not emit greenhouse gases, is available around-the-clock, pairs well with renewables, and provides numerous benefits essential to grid reliability." 

"This partnership signifies our strong interest in advanced nuclear energy as one of the best, lowest-cost options to reliably serve Grant County's growing communities and support their continued economic growth," said Kevin Nordt, Grant County PUD chief executive officer. "The electricity generated by a Xe-100, and other advanced nuclear energy technologies, will be invaluable to our future carbon-free grid."

"Together we represent the three pillars on which a successful project will be built: X-energy's innovative Generation IV nuclear technology and fuel design; Energy Northwest's ideal site and proven operating experience and nuclear expertise; and in Grant PUD a forward-thinking, resourceful, and extremely well-run utility with an interest in new resources to meet growing demand," said Clay Sell, X-energy chief executive officer. "Combined with the Department of Energy's vital support and visionary leadership, we have the foundation on which to build the future of clean energy.