Project PlanningAdvanced Non-LWR
Project website →Cascade Energy Facility
📍 Richland, WA (Benton County Co.)Developer: Energy Northwest / AmazonVendor / Tech: X-energy
Capacity
320 MW
Expected Operation
2030+
Reactor Type
Xe-100 (HTGR)
Regulatory Status
NRC pre-application engagement for a construction permit application (began August 2024); no CP application filed as of 2026; Amazon-funded development agreement in place; site studies and environmental reviews under way
Details
Primary Use
Power generation - cloud and AI data centers
Grid Connection
WECC / BPA
Fuel Type
HALEU / TRISO
Construction Start
2026
Research detail · verified 2026-10-10
Stage
Site and developer chosen
Commercial power
Yes
Stated target operation
Construction expected to begin by the end of the decade, operations in the 2030s (stated by Energy Northwest, reported 2025-10-16 and 2026-03)
Stated construction jobs
1,000-2,000 jobs during construction (Energy Northwest project page); APPA 2026-03 quotes Energy Northwest as up to 1,000
Stated operations jobs
100-200 full-time jobs during operation (Energy Northwest project page); APPA 2026-03 quotes at least 100
Key dates
2024 Energy Northwest-Amazon Carbon Free Development and Funding Agreement signed; 2024-08 NRC pre-application activities began; 2025-10-15 Amazon/Energy Northwest unveiled 'Cascade' facility plans; 2026-03-01 Xe-100 SMR training simulator installed at WSU Tri-Cities Institute for Northwest Energy Futures
Workforce
Partnership with Columbia Basin College; Energy Learning Center with an X-energy control-room simulator at WSU Tri-Cities, funded by a DOE Community Capacity Building grant.
Not verified / conflicts
nrc.gov pre-application page for Energy Northwest returned 403 twice; pre-application start date (Aug 2024) and 'no application filed as of 2026' come from search summaries and Wikipedia (last updated 2026-04-30), not from NRC directly; no NRC project number confirmed. Jobs wording differs: 610kona (2025-10-16) says 'over 1,000' construction and 'over 100' permanent; APPA says 'up to 1,000' and 'at least 100'. Amazon's 2025 statement of 'construction by 2030, operations mid-2030s' seen only via Wikipedia citing POWER. Merge note: jobs CONFLICT between Energy Northwest's own project page (1,000-2,000 / 100-200) and APPA 2026-03 (up to 1,000 / at least 100). County not stated in sources opened.
Sources
- https://www.publicpower.org/node/29571
- https://610kona.com/columbia-basin-nuclear-project-washington/
- https://tricities.wsu.edu/new-smr-simulator-boosts-nuclear-education-and-workforce-development-in-the-tri-cities/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascade_Advanced_Energy_Facility
- https://www.utilitydive.com/news/washington-nuclear-facility-smrs-cascade-amazon-modular/802967/
- https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0002088896/000110465926049515/tm2527015-22_424b4.htm
- https://www.energy-northwest.com/energy-projects/cascade-advanced-energy-facility/
- https://www.powermag.com/amazon-unveils-cascade-energy-northwests-xe-100-smr-project-targeting-construction-by-2030/
About
Four Xe-100 reactors (320 MW). Part of Amazon-X-energy 5 GW by 2039 plan. Amazon invested $334M specifically for early project development (separate from X-Energy Series C/D company rounds). Site at/near Columbia Generating Station, Richland WA.
Key Organizations
Developer
Energy Northwest / Amazon
Power Purchase Agreements1 PPA
Amazon (first step in 5 GW / 2039 deployment plan)
announcedPrivate Funding
Amazon ($500M Series C-1 anchor; Series D $700M led by Jane Street)
Equity
—
announced
State Policy Context
View nuclear-related legislation and energy stats for Washington