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Steam generators are sensitive components of a nuclear facility and require thorough maintenance.
Corrosion cracking in the steam generators at the Palisades nuclear reactor “far exceed” estimates and will require repairs to go forward with plans to restart, according to a document published Wednesday (2 October) by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
The NRC’s findings come after the Biden-Harris Administration finalised earlier this week a $1.52bn loan guarantee to finance the restart of the 800MW nuclear facility in Michigan, marking the first recommissioning of a retired nuclear power plant in US history.
The regulator identified 1,163 of the 16,000 steam generator tubes with indications of stress cracking, which “far exceeded estimates based on previous operating history”.
“Holtec must ensure the generators will meet NRC requirements if the agency authorises returning Palisades to operational status,” an NRC spokesperson told Reuters.
Holtec plans to restart the plant to operation in 2025.
A spokesperson from the company explained that the NRC’s findings werean’t unexpected as the proper maintenance was not carried out when the facility shutdown.
They confirmed that Holtec will swifty implement a repairs, which it expects to last 30 years, and remain on schedule to reopen the facility next year.
Once the plant is operational again, it is set to provide clean, reliable power to 800,000 homes in the Midwest, covering Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois.
According to Power Technology’s parent company, GlobalData, total electricity generation from nuclear sources in the US registered 775.35TWh in 2023. |
