AtkinsRéalis Assumes Owner’s Engineer Role to Advance Energy Northwest’s Clean Energy SMR in Support of Amazon

December 17, 2024

AtkinsRéalis Group Inc.announced that it has been selected as the Owner’s Engineer for Energy Northwest’s small modular reactor (SMR) project in Washington state, US.

“We are thrilled to see utilities worldwide turning to AtkinsRéalis to support strategic public-private-partnerships by leveraging the deployment of nuclear power technology,” said Ian L. Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer, AtkinsRéalis.  “This partnership with Energy Northwest will highlight SMRs capability to support the AI revolution with safe and clean electricity for generations.” 

Energy Northwest, a public power agency leading the development of next generation nuclear technologies, owns and operates Columbia Generating Station, the Pacific Northwest’s only nuclear generating facility, as well as hydroelectric, wind and solar projects and battery storage. Energy Northwest recently announced an agreement with Amazon and X-energy to develop four to 12 SMRs. This SMR development will lead to clean, reliable, sustainable and carbon-free energy for the Northwest.

Under the Owner’s Engineering Services Contract, AtkinsRéalis will support the design, licensing, construction and commissioning of the SMR project. Work will be supported by the recently opened state-of-the-art 32,000 ft2 AtkinsRéalis Technology Center (ATC) in Richland. The ATC is a fully integrated engineering and technology facility dedicated to advancement and testing of technical innovations. 

Energy Northwest has just begun a multi-year feasibility phase agreement with Amazon, which will focus on comprehensive environmental, safety, permitting, licensing and risk analyses. If the project is approved, the next phase will lead to submission of a construction permit application to build the SMRs.

“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. “This collaboration not only supports the proposed development of next-generation nuclear technology, but will bring lasting benefits to our region, including job creation, economic growth, and clean, firm and reliable energy.”

“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,” said Joe St. Julian, President, AtkinsRéalis, Nuclear. “The future of clean energy must include nuclear power and AtkinsRéalis and Energy Northwest are uniquely positioned to make this vision become a reality.”

AtkinsRéalis has about 40,000 employees around the world and more than 70 years of experience in the nuclear industry. The Company has successfully delivered nuclear projects in Argentina, Canada, China, France, Japan, Korea, Romania, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States. AtkinsRéalis understands the intricacies of nuclear licensing and is uniquely positioned to provide novel technology guidance in SMR designs. AtkinsRéalis is the steward of Canadian CANDU® technology and supports SMR facilities in Canada, the United Kingdom and the development of six proposed sites in Poland

Source

Related Articles