Agreement supports plans for uprates at Illinois facility’s two boiling water reactors
US power company Constellation and retail corporation Walmart announced a long-term nuclear power purchase agreement (PPA) for electricity from Constellation’s two-unit Dresden nuclear power station in Illinois.
Constellation said the agreement includes approximately 176 MW of wholesale supply, including 30 MW of expanded generating capacity.
It said Walmart will purchase energy, environmental attributes and capacity through two 15 year terms beginning in 2029 and 2030.
According to Constellation, the agreement supports reliable nuclear energy in the region and enables planned uprates at Dresden.
The agreement is expected to help Walmart access cleaner energy and strengthen local energy infrastructure.
“This agreement reflects long term stewardship of critical infrastructure, the communities it serves, and the energy system that powers American growth,” said Jim McHugh, senior executive vice-president and chief commercial officer at Constellation.
Through uprates at Dresden, the agreement will provide enough new power to the grid to support Walmart’s high-tech perishable distribution centre, currently in development in Belvidere, Illinois.
The agreement marks Walmart’s first nuclear PPA and is among the first of its kind between a large retailer and a nuclear energy facility in the US.
The agreement follows the US nuclear Regulatory Commission’s 20-year subsequent licence renewal for Dresden in December 2025. The facility’s two boiling water reactor units are now licensed to operate until 2049 and 2051.
