Walmart secures 176 MW nuclear power deal with Constellation Energy.
Walmart has signed its first nuclear power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy, securing 176 MW of emissions-free electricity from the company's Dresden Clean Energy Center in Illinois. Under the long-term agreement, Walmart will purchase electricity, environmental attributes, and capacity through two separate 15-year contracts beginning in 2029 and 2030.
The deal will fund power uprates at the Dresden facility—efficiency improvements that increase electricity output from existing reactors without requiring new construction. The additional power will support Walmart's new high-tech perishable distribution center under development in Belvidere, Illinois. Together, the nuclear agreement and distribution center investment are expected to create jobs and strengthen local communities while supporting Walmart's supply chain operations across the region.
Walmart has set ambitious climate targets: reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030 compared to 2015 levels, and achieving net-zero operational emissions by 2040. However, the company acknowledged in 2024 that reaching interim climate targets may prove difficult, citing limited availability of low-carbon refrigeration technologies, transportation solutions, and clean energy infrastructure. Scope 1 emissions come from sources Walmart directly controls—transportation fleets, refrigeration systems, and fuel use in facilities. Scope 2 emissions result from purchased electricity powering stores, distribution centers, and offices.
Despite these challenges, Walmart continues progressing. In 2024, renewable sources supplied 48.5% of its global electricity needs, with 30.6% coming through renewable energy contracts tied to wind and solar projects. The company has announced plans to help enable up to 10 gigawatts of new clean energy projects between 2024 and 2030. The company noted that emissions increased slightly in some areas due to business growth—higher transportation activity in the U.S. and expansion across Mexico and Central America contributed to the rise. Renewable energy production in some regions also declined because of drought and extreme heat conditions.
The nuclear agreement complements Walmart's broader clean energy strategy by adding a dependable source of emissions-free electricity to its growing portfolio. Constellation Energy is the largest nuclear power operator in the United States, operating roughly 55 gigawatts of generating capacity across nuclear, natural gas, hydro, wind, solar, and geothermal facilities. Its fleet produces enough electricity to power approximately 27 million homes and delivers nearly 10% of the nation's clean energy, serving around 2.5 million customer accounts including about 80% of Fortune 100 companies.
Unlike wind and solar power, nuclear plants provide around-the-clock electricity, making them an increasingly attractive option as companies work to reduce emissions. The United States remains the world's largest producer of nuclear energy, with approximately 97 gigawatts of operating capacity as of 2025, generating roughly 785 terawatt-hours of electricity annually. Nuclear power supplies around 18% of U.S. electricity and nearly half of the nation's carbon-free power, making it critical to the country's clean energy transition.
Constellation's operating licenses for Dresden were renewed in late 2025, allowing the facility to continue operating through 2049 and 2051. The plant currently supports more than 1,100 jobs and provides reliable carbon-free electricity across Illinois, where Walmart operates approximately 175 stores and clubs and employs more than 55,000 associates.
The deal reflects a broader shift in the U.S. energy market, where rising electricity demand from data centers, advanced manufacturing, and electrification is increasing the need for stable, low-carbon power sources. As demand for reliable clean power rises, Walmart's partnership with Constellation could serve as a model for other large corporations seeking to balance growth, energy security, and emissions reductions.