Cascade advanced energy facility is advancing toward regulatory approval for an initial 320MW advanced nuclear power plant in Washington State. Energy Northwest, X-energy and Amazon are developing the project near Richland.
The facility will initially use four Xe-100 small modular reactors (SMRs). Each reactor will generate 80MW of electricity.
The partners also plan to license the site for up to 12 reactors. Full build-out would increase capacity to 960MW.
The project sits adjacent to Energy Northwest’s Columbia Generating Station in Benton County. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is conducting pre-application activities for the proposed facility.
X-energy currently targets submission of the construction permit application to the NRC by the end of 2026. The company expects the construction permit in 2028.
Site construction could then begin in the first half of 2028. Commercial operations remain targeted for the early 2030s.
Cascade Advanced Energy Facility advances toward regulatory approval
Cascade Advanced Energy Facility remains in the development and licensing stage. Initial site engineering work is underway as the partners advance the project design.
The NRC is engaging with Energy Northwest through pre-application activities. The process covers a potential construction permit application under the federal regulatory framework.
The proposed project could eventually comprise 12 Xe-100 reactors on the Hanford Reservation. The site lies adjacent to Columbia Generating Station near Richland.
X-energy’s latest regulatory schedule places the construction permit application submission by the end of 2026. The company expects the NRC to issue the construction permit in 2028.
Energy Northwest, Amazon and X-energy are also coordinating financing and long-lead procurement activities. Those activities began in 2026 to support future construction and commissioning.
The project therefore remains several stages away from physical construction. Regulatory approval, engineering, financing and procurement must progress before major site work begins.
Cascade Advanced Energy Facility strengthens its construction team
Energy Northwest selected Cascade Nuclear Partners in October 2025 to support the project’s first phase.
The partnership comprises Kiewit Nuclear Solutions, Black & Veatch and Aecon. The companies are working under a progressive design-build approach.
Their initial scope covers planning, design and construction preparation for the first four Xe-100 reactors. Those units will provide the project’s initial 320MW capacity.
The progressive design-build process allows the project team to refine scope, schedule and cost parameters before full execution.
X-energy supplies the Xe-100 reactor technology. The reactor uses a high-temperature gas-cooled design and produces 80MW per module.
Meanwhile, Energy Northwest will lead the project from the utility side. It also operates the nearby Columbia Generating Station.
Amazon supports the development through its agreement with Energy Northwest and X-energy. The company has rights to purchase electricity from the initial four-reactor deployment.
Amazon and Energy Northwest announced the project in 2024 as part of a broader effort to expand advanced nuclear power.
Amazon also led a roughly $500 million investment in X-energy in 2024. That financing supports X-energy’s reactor technology, licensing work and fuel-development activities.
Cascade project targets 2028 construction and 2030s operations
The project’s first phase will generate 320MW from four reactors. Energy Northwest could subsequently add eight more modules.
Full deployment would therefore reach 960MW. Public power utilities could purchase up to 50% of the electricity from the full project.
The development could create between 1,000 and 2,000 peak construction jobs. It could also support between 100 and 200 full-time operational positions.
However, the project does not yet have a construction permit. The NRC’s current engagement remains focused on pre-application activities.
X-energy’s schedule calls for the construction permit application by the end of 2026. Construction is expected to start in the first half of 2028, subject to regulatory approvals.
Commercial operations are targeted for the early 2030s.
The Cascade project also forms part of Amazon’s wider nuclear-energy strategy. X-energy identifies it as one of the projects supporting Amazon’s ambition to secure at least 5GW of new nuclear capacity by 2039.
The project represents a different pathway from emerging fusion developments in the United States. Our coverage of the ARC fusion power plant examines Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ planned 400MW commercial fusion facility in Virginia.
Updated October 23, 2025
Amazon’s Cascade Advanced Energy Facility in Washington has selected Kiewit, Black & Veatch and Aecon joint venture to plan, design, and construction the first 4 of 12 small modular reactors (SMRs) according to developer Energy Northwest. Selection of the Cascade Nuclear Partners has been termed a “strategic milestone” by the Energy Northwest’s CEO, Bob Schuetz. The announcement comes a week after the facility’s official name and designs were revealed by technology major Amazon.
Reported October 16, 2025 – Amazon has unveiled its plans and designs for the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility, as it continues to invest into small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) to power its AI, cloud, and logistics operations with carbon-free electricity. The facility will be built in the state of Washington, near the existing Columbia Generating Station in Richland, in partnership with Energy Northwest and X-energy. The site will also use X-energy’s Xe-100 reactor design. Fuel for the reactor will be produced at X-energy’s nuclear facility currently under construction in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
The project is still months away from construction, with the timeline targeting 2030. Operations are expected to start in the 2030s.
Regulatory Status: Engagement ongoing with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), state regulators, and environmental review processes.
Funding: Amazon is investing through its Climate Pledge Fund and has funded early licensing and feasibility phases. X-energy also plans to advance its TRISO fuel, reactor licensing and deployment pipeline.
Timeline for Amazon’s SMR Facility in Washington
Early to Mid-2024: Amazon commits to X-energy investments and is engaged in agreements with Energy Northwest for SMR development.
October 2025: Amazon unveils official name for Washington facility (“Cascade”), renderings, designs, and vision for expansion (up to 960 MW).
Late 2025-2026: Permitting and licensing. Regulatory engagement with NRC and state bodies also underway.
2027-2028: Project expected to reach advanced engineering, detailed design, supply chain contracting.
Late 2020s: Facility expected to break ground on site construction of the first phase SMR modules.
2030s: Phased commissioning of the first 320 MW modules expected to start. Also in sight will be the scaling toward full build-out of 960 MW.
Post-2030s: Facility expects full operations, long-term maintenance, performance optimization, and further reactor deployments.
Project Fact Sheet
Name: Cascade Advanced Energy Facility
Type: Advanced nuclear power facility
Technology: Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled small modular reactor
Initial Capacity: 320MW
Initial Units: Four Xe-100 reactors
Individual Reactor Capacity: 80MW
Potential Full Capacity: 960MW
Potential Total Units: 12 Xe-100 reactors
Location: Near Richland, Benton County, Washington
Site: Adjacent to Columbia Generating Station
Site Owner/Utility Partner: Energy Northwest
Reactor Developer: X-energy
Strategic Partner: Amazon
Regulator: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Regulatory Status: Pre-application activities
Construction Permit Application: Targeted by end of 2026
Expected Construction Permit: 2028
Expected Construction Start: First half of 2028
Target Commercial Operations: Early 2030s
Construction Employment: 1,000–2,000 peak jobs
Permanent Employment: 100–200 positions
Full-Project Utility Participation: Public power utilities may purchase up to 50%
Project Team
Developer/Utility: Energy Northwest
Reactor Technology Provider: X-energy
Strategic Customer/Investor: Amazon
Design-Build Partner: Cascade Nuclear Partners
Construction Partner: Kiewit Nuclear Solutions
Engineering Partner: Black & Veatch
Construction Partner: Aecon
Nuclear Regulator: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Reactor Model: X-energy Xe-100
Existing Nuclear Facility: Columbia Generating Station
Site: Hanford Reservation, adjacent to Columbia Generating Station
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