Fuel Loading Begins at U.S. Palisades Nuclear Plant to Advance Restart

Holtec Nuclear announced on August 31 that fuel loading has begun into the reactor pressure vessel at the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Covert Township, Michigan, U.S. This milestone marks a critical step toward restoring operation at the permanently shut down commercial nuclear plant, advancing the restart process into Mode 6, the refueling mode, under the plant's technical specifications.

The Palisades reactor core consists of 204 fuel assemblies, including new fuel and partially used fuel remaining from the plant's previous operating cycle. The core is designed to support the plant's 805 MW electrical output. Holtec stated that prior to the start of fuel loading, the plant had completed more than two years of inspections, maintenance, refurbishment, testing, and equipment upgrades, aimed at establishing a foundation for long-term safe and reliable operation.

Key restart projects completed include: reinforcing the tube bundles of the two steam generators, removing corrosive deposits accumulated inside the steam generators, replacing control rod drive mechanism nozzles, performing chemical decontamination and passivation of the primary system, inspecting the reactor pressure vessel, and advancing multiple equipment upgrades and modernization efforts. The company noted that the scope of certain planned work was expanded during execution to further enhance the plant's long-term reliability.

Fuel loading is being carried out in accordance with plant procedures and technical specifications. Upon completion of loading, the Palisades Nuclear Plant will undergo a series of tests, inspections, and startup activities to confirm that all systems meet operational requirements. The work is being led by Holtec Nuclear's Chief Nuclear Officer Fadi Diya, Site Vice President Mike Schultes, Site General Manager Adam Eastridge, and the site management team, with independent oversight from the Palisades Nuclear Safety Review Board.

Fadi Diya stated that loading fuel into the Palisades reactor is a significant milestone in the restart effort, and the team will continue to complete the remaining work with rigor to return the reactor to safe, reliable operation.

The Palisades restart project has received financial support from the State of Michigan and loan support from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The plant has also signed long-term power purchase agreements with Wolverine Power Cooperative and Hoosier Energy. The plant is currently continuing the remaining preparatory work ahead of commercial operation.

Holtec is the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-licensed operator of the Palisades Nuclear Plant. The company also plans to deploy its SMR-300 small modular reactor at the Palisades site, with the first two units expected to be located there.