The Cascade Advanced Energy project is advancing plans for a 320MW nuclear power plant near Richland, Washington. The development will initially feature four small modular reactors (SMRs) supplied by X-energy. The company has selected engineering firm Fluor to support engineering, design development and project planning.
The appointment marks another step towards deploying advanced nuclear technology in the Pacific Northwest. However, neither the engineering contract value nor the confirmed construction budget has been disclosed.
Cascade Advanced Energy Project expands nuclear capacity
The proposed facility will occupy a site adjacent to Energy Northwest’s existing Columbia Generating Station. The location sits within the Department of Energy’s Hanford Reservation in Benton County.
According to X-energy, the initial development will comprise four Xe-100 reactors. Each reactor will generate approximately 80MW of electricity. Together, the four units will deliver 320MW of generating capacity.
The project also provides room for substantial future expansion. Its longer-term development framework accommodates up to 12 reactor modules. Consequently, the facility could eventually reach 960MW of generating capacity.
The estimated project cost could exceed $2 billion, according to industry reporting. However, project partners have not published an approved construction budget. Fluor has also withheld the financial value of its engineering appointment.
The development forms part of a wider nuclear energy strategy involving X-energy and Amazon. Their partnership targets at least 5GW of new nuclear generation by 2039. Furthermore, the Washington facility represents an important development within that deployment programme.
The project adds to the growing pipeline of small modular reactor developments in the United States, alongside Tennessee’s Clinch River Nuclear Project, where the Tennessee Valley Authority is advancing plans for a 300MW BWRX-300 reactor. The Clinch River development has progressed towards federal construction approval, with an estimated investment of up to $5.4 billion. Its regulatory progress highlights the increasing momentum behind advanced nuclear construction in the United States.
Cascade Advanced Energy Project appoints Fluor
Under the engineering agreement, Fluor will undertake several activities covering the facility’s nuclear island. These include engineering, design development, supply chain planning and project controls.
The company will also provide estimating services to support investment decisions. Additionally, it will apply experience gained from its ongoing work with X-energy in Texas.
The partnership builds on their collaboration at Dow’s proposed UCC Seadrift Operations nuclear facility. That development represents X-energy’s first proposed commercial Xe-100 deployment.
Fluor aims to transfer technical knowledge and execution experience between the two developments. Consequently, the collaboration could improve design standardisation and project delivery efficiency.
X-energy’s Global Chief Operating Officer, Dragan Popovic, highlighted the importance of collaboration. He said repeated execution with experienced partners would strengthen project delivery capabilities.
Meanwhile, Fluor’s Business Group President of Energy Solutions, Pierre Bechelany, emphasised nuclear expertise. He described Cascade as an important step towards deploying next-generation nuclear technology.
Importantly, Fluor’s appointment does not represent a complete engineering, procurement and construction award. Its disclosed responsibilities currently cover engineering and development services for the nuclear island.
Cascade Nuclear Partners handles the conventional island and integration requirements. The joint venture comprises Kiewit Nuclear Solutions, Black & Veatch and Aecon.
Cascade Advanced Energy Project targets scalable nuclear generation
The facility will use X-energy’s Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor technology. The design uses helium as its coolant and TRISO fuel for nuclear operations.
TRISO fuel contains uranium kernels surrounded by protective ceramic and carbon coatings. These coatings help retain radioactive materials under extreme operating conditions.
Furthermore, the reactor design incorporates passive safety systems. These systems help prevent overheating without depending entirely on active intervention. The reactors also support online refuelling, according to the project announcement.
The development will serve growing electricity demand across the Pacific Northwest. In particular, its output could support electricity-intensive industries and expanding cloud infrastructure.
Amazon’s participation provides financial backing for early project development. Energy Northwest will ultimately own and operate the proposed facility. X-energy will supply the reactor technology and TRISO-X nuclear fuel.
The project must still progress through regulatory approvals before construction begins. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission currently lists Cascade under pre-application activities.
The regulator is engaging Energy Northwest over a future construction permit application. The process covers a proposed development of up to 12 Xe-100 modules. Therefore, Fluor’s appointment advances engineering preparations rather than confirming construction commencement.
The project also carries potential benefits for regional public electricity utilities. X-energy’s participation framework provides opportunities for utilities to subscribe to up to 50% of initial output.
However, the partners must advance licensing, financing and engineering before construction. The proposed development ultimately seeks to strengthen regional electricity supply through modular nuclear generation.
Project Fact Sheet
Name: Cascade Advanced Energy Facility.
Type: Advanced nuclear power plant construction.
Location: Near Richland, Benton County, Washington State, United States.
Site: Department of Energy’s Hanford Reservation, adjacent to Columbia Generating Station.
Estimated project cost: More than $2 billion, according to industry reporting; official budget undisclosed.
Initial generating capacity: 320MW.
Initial reactor configuration: Four Xe-100 small modular reactors.
Individual reactor capacity: Approximately 80MW.
Potential future capacity: 960MW.
Maximum planned configuration: 12 Xe-100 reactor modules.
Reactor technology: High-temperature gas-cooled reactor.
Coolant: Helium.
Nuclear fuel: TRISO fuel supplied through X-energy’s TRISO-X technology.
Engineering appointment: November 5, 2026.
Regulatory authority: United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Project status: Engineering development and regulatory pre-application.
Electricity market: Pacific Northwest regional electricity grid.
Expansion objective: Support X-energy and Amazon’s 5GW nuclear deployment target by 2039.
Project Team
Developer and reactor technology provider: X-energy, Inc.
Owner and intended operator: Energy Northwest.
Engineering and project management contractor: Fluor Corporation.
Conventional Island and integration contractor: Cascade Nuclear Partners.
Cascade Nuclear Partners members: Kiewit Nuclear Solutions, Black & Veatch and Aecon.
Strategic development and funding partner: Amazon.
Nuclear regulatory authority: United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Existing neighbouring nuclear facility: Columbia Generating Station, operated by Energy Northwest.
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