(Image: AtkinsRéalis/Energy Northwest)
The public power agency already owns and operates the Columbia Generating Station and recently announced an agreement with Amazon and X-energy for an initial development of four advanced small modular reactors (SMRs) generating about 320 MWe, with an option to treble that number to 12 reactors.
The Owner's Engineering Services Contract will see engineering services and nuclear company AtkinsRéalis support the design, licensing, construction and commissioning of the SMR project.
"AtkinsRéalis possesses extensive technical expertise on developing complex energy projects, which makes them an ideal partner," said Greg Cullen, Vice President for Energy Services & Development at Energy Northwest, adding that the collaboration will also bring lasting benefits to the region, including job creation, economic growth, and "clean, firm and reliable energy".
The multi-year feasibility phase agreement Energy Northwest has just begun with Amazon will focus on comprehensive environmental, safety, permitting, licensing and risk analyses, the company said. If the project is approved, the next phase will lead to submission of a construction permit application to build the SMRs.
"Leveraging our well-documented global nuclear design capabilities and exceptional engineering experience, we are excited to be part of the Energy Northwest team for this first of its kind facility in the Pacific Northwest where we've been working for many decades," AtkinsRéalis President, Nuclear Joe St Julian said. "The future of clean energy must include nuclear power and AtkinsRéalis and Energy Northwest are uniquely positioned to make this vision become a reality."
