Columbia Generating Station
Columbia Generating Station is a nuclear plant in Benton County, Washington, operated by Energy Northwest- Columbia. It ranks fifth by nameplate capacity among Washington’s 138 power plants. Its biggest unit, rated at 1,200 MW, is the largest single generator in Washington.
Nameplate capacity, 2025
1,200 MW
1,151 MW net summer capacity
1 operable unit
- Nuclear1,200 MW100%
Unit by unit, 1984 to 2025
operating in 2025bar height follows unit size
Unit 2 Nuclear, 1,200 MW, 1984
Among Washington’s plants
Largest plants in the state by nameplate capacity, with the plants ranked next to this one.
- 1Grand Coulee6,809 MW
- 2Chief Joseph2,456 MW
- 3Rocky Reach1,349 MW
- 4Wanapum1,220 MW
- 5Columbia Generating Stationthis plant
- 6Boundary1,160 MW
- 7Priest Rapids950 MW
Other rankings
- All US power plants
- 222nd of 14,286
- US nuclear plants
- 42nd of 56
- Plants in the Bonneville Power Administration balancing area
- 5th of 129
Operable units
| Unit | Technology | Nameplate | Summer | Online | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Nuclear | 1,200 MW | 1,151 MW | 1984 | Operating |
Grid and site
- Balancing area
- Bonneville Power Administration
- Reliability region
- Western Electricity Coordinating Council
- Highest grid connection voltage
- 500 kV
- Water source
- Columbia River
- Nearest town on record
- Richland
- Operator type
- Utility
- Coordinates
- 46.471°N, 119.334°W
Closest plants
| Plant | Runs on | Capacity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potholes East Canal 66.0 | Hydroelectric | 2.3 MW | 7.4 mi southeast |
| Eltopia Branch Canal 4.6 | Hydroelectric | 2.2 MW | 7.4 mi southeast |
| Horn Rapids Solar, Storage and Training | Solar | 4.2 MW | 8.2 mi south |
| Chandler | Hydroelectric | 12 MW | 18.7 mi southwest |
| Russell D Smith | Hydroelectric | 6.1 MW | 21.3 mi northeast |
| Ice Harbor | Hydroelectric | 603 MW | 26.5 mi southeast |
| Nine Canyon | Wind | 95.9 MW | 28.3 mi southeast |
| Priest Rapids | Hydroelectric | 950 MW | 29.8 mi northwest |