Holtec Nuclear Corporation (“Holtec” or the “Company”) announced today that its Palisades Nuclear Power Plant has begun loading nuclear fuel into the plant's reactor vessel, marking a historic milestone as Palisades advances toward becoming the first commercial U.S. nuclear power plant to return to service after entering decommissioning. The start of fuel loading places Palisades in Mode 6 under the plant's Technical Specifications, a required step on the path to commercial operation.
The reactor core consists of 204 fuel assemblies, including new fuel and partially used fuel from the plant's most recent operating cycles, and is designed to support Palisades' 805-megawatt electric output. The fuel-loading milestone follows more than two years of extensive inspection, maintenance, refurbishment, testing, and equipment upgrades across the station intended to ensure reliability and resiliency for long-term operation.
Major restart work completed at the plant included reinforcement of tubes in the two steam generators; removal of accumulated corrosive species from the steam generation space; replacement of the plant's control rod drive mechanism nozzles; chemical decontamination and passivation of the primary system; reactor vessel inspections; and numerous equipment upgrades and modernization projects. In several areas, the scope of planned work was expanded to further enhance the plant's long-term reliability.
Fuel loading is being conducted in accordance with plant procedures and Technical Specifications. Following completion of fuel loading, Palisades will progress through a series of required testing, inspections, and startup activities as plant systems are declared fit for operation. These activities are being led by Holtec Nuclear Corporation Chief Nuclear Officer Fadi Diya, Site Vice President Mike Schultheis, and Plant General Manager Adam Eastridge, together with the site's leadership team, with independent oversight from the Palisades Nuclear Safety Review Board, chaired by industry veteran Michael Rencheck.
“Loading fuel into the Palisades reactor is an important milestone and a reflection of the tremendous effort of the men and women who have brought this plant to this point,” said Fadi Diya, Chief Nuclear Officer of Holtec Nuclear Corporation. “I am proud to lead an organization with such talented and dedicated people who have a deep sense of pride in this plant and a deep commitment to their community. We remain focused on disciplined execution of the remaining work and returning Palisades to safe and reliable operation.”
Holtec recognized the significant contributions of the many organizations supporting the restart effort, including the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, peer nuclear facilities, the Nuclear Energy Institute, and the numerous contractors and industry partners that have provided specialized expertise throughout the project.
The restart of Palisades has been made possible by financial support from the State of Michigan, a loan from the U.S. Department of Energy, and long-term power purchase agreements with Wolverine Power Cooperative and Hoosier Energy. Holtec expressed its gratitude to its federal, state, and community partners for their confidence in the Company's ability to return Palisades to service. The plant is now proceeding through its remaining pre-startup activities ahead of resuming commercial operation.
