Walmart has formalized a long-term purchase of nuclear power from Constellation Energy to supply electricity for a large perishable distribution center that the retailer is developing in Belvidere, Illinois, the two companies said on Tuesday.
Under the terms of the agreement, Walmart will acquire approximately 176 megawatts of generation from Constellation’s Dresden Clean Energy Center. The power will be delivered under two separate 15-year contracts that begin in 2029 and 2030. The total supply includes 30 megawatts of incremental output tied to planned upgrades at the Dresden facility.
The arrangement is notable for its structure and timing. It ranks among the first long-term deals between a major U.S. retailer and a nuclear energy provider, and it highlights corporate interest in baseload clean power that can supply electricity continuously around the clock.
Constellation said the agreement would support investment in efficiency upgrades - often referred to as uprates - at the Dresden Clean Energy Center. Those uprates are intended to increase the plant’s output without adding new generation capacity.
Dresden is one of Constellation’s largest nuclear plants and is licensed to operate through 2049 and 2051. The contracts with Walmart are structured to begin delivery in 2029 and 2030, aligning with the timeline for the retailer’s high-tech perishable distribution center now under development in Belvidere.
Context and commercial impact
The agreement links a major retail distribution investment to a long-term source of baseload clean energy. For Walmart, securing a steady supply of generation could support operations at a facility designed to handle perishable goods. For Constellation, the deal is positioned to help justify and support investments in plant efficiency that raise output without constructing new units.
Financial and operational notes
- Walmart will purchase about 176 megawatts of electricity in total.
- Included in that total is 30 megawatts of additional output from planned Dresden upgrades.
- The contracts each run for 15 years and commence in 2029 and 2030 respectively.
- Dresden carries operating licenses extending to 2049 and 2051.
Implications for affected sectors
This transaction ties together the retail and electric utility sectors by matching long-term retail infrastructure needs with baseload nuclear generation. It also signals corporate interest in clean, continuous power for energy-intensive facilities such as high-tech perishable distribution centers.