MORRIS, ILLINOIS, July 1 (Our Illinois Times) — Walmart and Constellation have announced a long-term nuclear power purchase agreement in Illinois that will provide about 176 megawatts of wholesale electricity from the Dresden Clean Energy Center, including 30 megawatts from planned uprates at the plant.
The companies said the deal gives Walmart energy, environmental attributes and capacity through two 15-year terms starting in 2029 and 2030. Walmart called it its first nuclear power purchase agreement and said it is among the first such arrangements between a large retailer and a U.S. nuclear facility.
The companies said the additional power is intended to support Walmart’s planned high-tech perishable distribution center in Belvidere, Illinois. The announcement said Dresden is licensed to operate through 2049 and 2051 and supports more than 1,100 jobs.
The agreement is meant to back efficiency upgrades at Dresden that would increase output from existing nuclear units without building a new plant. The companies did not disclose pricing, say whether the uprates have already been approved or completed, or identify any regulatory filing tied to the deal.
