- The Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington will become the largest solar farm in the U.S., with 2,000 MW of electricity and 2,000 MW of battery storage.
- Hanford’s redevelopment will see 3.45 million solar panels installed on 10,300 acres, with completion targeted by 2030.
A former nuclear weapons site is set to become the United States’ largest solar power station. The Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington, once a key part of the U.S. nuclear program, is now being repurposed for renewable energy.
The Hanford site produced two-thirds of the plutonium used in U.S. nuclear weapons from 1943 until 1989—however, the operations left behind millions of gallons of radioactive waste. Contamination remains a concern, with soil and groundwater still undergoing decontamination.
Now, developer Hecate Energy is leading a massive solar project on 10,300 acres of land deemed safe for redevelopment. In August 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy approved real estate negotiations with Hecate.
Hecate has already started site evaluations on 8,000 acres. This vast area, nearly ten times the size of New York’s Central Park, will host 3.45 million photovoltaic panels.
Once operational, the solar farm will generate up to 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to power millions of homes across the region, including Seattle, San Francisco, and Denver. The project also includes a 2,000 MW battery storage facility.
The total cost is estimated at $4 billion, with completion expected by 2030. The energy output will be twice that of a typical nuclear power plant and surpass Nevada’s Copper Mountain Solar Facility, which is currently the largest in the U.S.
Despite its potential, the project faces several challenges. The site is near areas previously decontaminated for radioactive waste and sits adjacent to a decommissioned nuclear reactor complex. The nearby B Reactor, the world’s first full-scale nuclear reactor, adds historical and environmental concerns.
Political uncertainty could also impact the project’s future. With President Donald Trump’s stance on renewable energy projects from the Biden administration, it remains unclear if this solar initiative will proceed as planned.
Hecate remains confident in the project’s viability. “The fundamentals of the project are strong regardless of policy direction,” said Alexander Pugh, Hecate’s director of development. He emphasised the region’s growing demand for electricity, driven by data centres and artificial intelligence expansion.
Despite potential obstacles, the Hanford solar project represents a major shift from nuclear weapons production to clean energy. If completed, it will set a new benchmark for renewable power in the United States.