Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
America's second-largest nuclear plant—and the only one that runs on wastewater
Location
History & Background
Palo Verde's three pressurized water reactors entered commercial service in 1986, 1986, and 1988. The plant was originally designed for cooperative ownership by seven utilities across the Southwest; that arrangement persists today, with Arizona Public Service as the operating utility. The site sits about 50 miles west of Phoenix on what was essentially empty desert when construction began in the 1970s.
Why It Matters
Palo Verde was the single largest power plant in the United States from its completion in 1988 until 2024, when the addition of Vogtle Units 3 and 4 in Georgia edged it out by a few hundred megawatts. It supplies roughly 35% of all electricity used in Arizona and serves customers in seven states.
Environmental Impact
Palo Verde is the only major nuclear plant in the world not located near a substantial natural body of cooling water. Instead, it uses treated municipal wastewater pumped 35 miles uphill from Phoenix—an estimated 50 billion gallons per year. The plant displaces an enormous amount of fossil-fueled generation; APS estimates it prevents roughly 23 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Fun Facts
- Palo Verde uses more reclaimed wastewater than any other facility on Earth.
- The plant's three reactors are essentially identical and were among the last large reactors built in the US before construction stalled for three decades.
- Each reactor produces about 1,300 MW of electricity from 240 fuel assemblies, refueled on a staggered 18-month cycle.
- The site spans about 4,000 acres of Sonoran Desert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palo Verde the largest nuclear plant in the US?▾
Palo Verde was the largest US nuclear plant from 1988 until 2024. With the addition of Vogtle Units 3 and 4 in Georgia, Vogtle now narrowly edges out Palo Verde for the top spot.
Where does Palo Verde get its cooling water?▾
From treated municipal wastewater piped 35 miles uphill from the Phoenix metropolitan area. Palo Verde is the only major nuclear plant in the world to use this approach as its primary cooling water source.
How many homes does Palo Verde power?▾
Palo Verde generates enough electricity to power roughly 4 million homes, primarily across Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.
About Nuclear Power
Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission to generate heat, which produces steam to drive turbines. They provide reliable baseload power with virtually no direct carbon emissions, though they produce radioactive waste.
Other Nuclear Power Plants in United States of America
| Name | Capacity | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Vogtle Electric Generating Plant | 4.5 GW | Georgia Power |
| Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant | 3.5 GW | Tennessee Valley Authority |
| Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station | 2.8 GW | Constellation Energy |
| South Texas Nuclear Generating Station | 2.7 GW | NRG Energy |
| Oconee Nuclear Station | 2.5 GW | Duke Energy |
Related Reading
Data Information
Data Sources
Power plant data is based on the Global Power Plant Database by World Resources Institute, in collaboration with Google, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Enipedia, and the Global Energy Observatory. Editorial content on this page is curated and reviewed by the StatsPanda team using publicly available reporting and operator filings.
Disclaimer
Information found on this page is for informational purposes only. Power plant specifications, ownership, and operational status may have changed since the data was last updated. Please verify critical information with official sources.