U.S. Energy Secretary Visits Palisades Nuclear Plant Restart Site

Recently, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited Holtec International's Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan to inspect on-site the restart progress of this 805-megawatt retired nuclear unit and announced that the U.S. nuclear energy revival has taken a key step forward.

It is reported that this restart project has received support from a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantee, a special appropriation from the Michigan state government, and large-scale investment from Holtec International. Kris Singh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Holtec International, emphasized that the successful revival of this site is of milestone significance to the entire U.S. nuclear energy industry, while the long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) signed by local electric cooperatives in Michigan also provides a solid guarantee for the project's commercial operation.

Also accompanying the inspection on site were officials including Glenn Smith, Under Secretary for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga. Secretary Wright praised the public-private partnership mechanism and the efforts of the on-site team, noting that revitalizing existing nuclear power infrastructure is a key measure to meet growing electricity demand and ensure the safety and reliability of baseload power for the grid, while also preserving hundreds of quality local jobs.

Currently, the Palisades Nuclear Plant operating team is advancing operational preparation procedures in stages, including nuclear fuel loading, key performance testing, and safety inspections. The project will formally resume commercial operation after completing all technical preparations and obtaining regulatory approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).