Walmart has signed its first direct nuclear power purchase agreement, securing approximately 176 megawatts of emissions-free electricity from Constellation Energy‘s Dresden Clean Energy Center in Illinois under long-term contracts beginning in 2029 and 2030.
The agreement gives Walmart access to wholesale electricity from the Dresden facility in Morris, Illinois, including 30 megawatts of additional generating capacity expected from planned efficiency upgrades at the plant. The power will be delivered under two separate 15-year contract periods beginning in 2029 and 2030.
The deal represents a rare example of a major U.S. retailer securing power directly from a nuclear generation facility. It comes as large corporations increasingly seek reliable, carbon-free electricity to support expanding data center, manufacturing, logistics and distribution operations, driving renewed interest in existing nuclear power assets.
Dresden Clean Energy Center
The Dresden Clean Energy Center is one of Constellation Energy’s largest nuclear facilities and a key contributor to Illinois’ electricity supply. Its two reactor units hold operating licenses through 2049 and 2051 following license extensions granted in late 2025. According to Constellation, the facility supports more than 1,100 jobs and generates enough electricity to power millions of homes and businesses.
The additional 30 megawatts included in the agreement will come from efficiency improvements known as uprates, which allow nuclear plants to increase output without constructing new generating units. Utilities increasingly view uprates as a cost-effective way to expand carbon-free generation while avoiding the lengthy permitting and construction timelines associated with new nuclear projects.
For Walmart, the agreement provides long-term access to emissions-free electricity while supporting the company’s goals for affordable, reliable and cleaner energy. The retailer said the deal will help support its growing operations in Illinois, including planned investments in logistics infrastructure.
Constellation said the agreement reflects the value of maintaining and investing in existing energy infrastructure that supports long-term economic growth. Walmart said the arrangement aligns with its strategy to secure reliable energy supplies while reducing emissions across its operations.
The agreement adds to a growing wave of corporate clean-energy procurement deals centered on existing nuclear plants, which offer continuous carbon-free generation regardless of weather conditions. As electricity demand rises across the United States, particularly from data centers and industrial facilities, nuclear power is increasingly emerging as a preferred source of long-term energy reliability and emissions-free generation.
Factsheet: Constellation and Walmart Sign Long-Term Nuclear Energy Supply Agreement
Companies: Constellation Energy and Walmart.
Deal type: Long-term power purchase agreement.
Power source: Dresden Clean Energy Center, Morris, Illinois.
Volume: Approximately 176 megawatts of wholesale electricity.
Additional capacity: 30 megawatts from planned plant efficiency upgrades.
Contract structure: Two separate 15-year agreements beginning in 2029 and 2030.
Use case: Supports Walmart’s expanding operations and planned logistics investments in Illinois.
Plant licenses: Reactor units licensed through 2049 and 2051.
Workforce impact: Facility supports more than 1,100 jobs.
Key significance: Marks Walmart’s first direct nuclear power purchase and reflects growing corporate demand for around-the-clock carbon-free electricity.
Leave a Reply