US retail giant Walmart has entered into a major long-term nuclear power purchase agreement (PPA) with Constellation to procure emissions-free electricity from the Dresden Clean Energy Center in Illinois.
The deal, which marks Walmart’s first-ever nuclear energy contract, secures approximately 176 MW of wholesale power supply. Crucially, the agreement includes 30 MW of expanded generating capacity achieved through “uprates”—efficiency upgrades that boost the electricity output of existing nuclear units without the need to construct entirely new facilities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Walmart will purchase energy, capacity, and environmental attributes across two separate 15-year terms commencing in 2029 and 2030. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
The additional carbon-free power generated by the uprates will directly support Walmart’s high-tech perishable distribution centre currently under development in Belvidere, Illinois, whilst reinforcing the broader local grid.
Jim McHugh, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Constellation, stated that Walmart’s commitment enables meaningful investment in the Dresden facility, bolstering grid reliability, sustaining local employment, and adding dependable, emissions-free energy to the Illinois power network.
Shayne Wahlmeier, Senior Vice President of Energy for Walmart US, emphasised that the collaboration allows the retailer to expand its supply chain operations in a way that prioritises affordable, reliable, and clean energy for both the business and local communities.
The contract follows Constellation’s December 2025 license renewal announcement for the Dresden site, which is now permitted to operate through to 2049 and 2051. The facility provides critical baseload carbon-free electricity for the region and supports more than 1,100 local jobs.
