US Salem Nuclear Power Plant Plans 200 MW Capacity Uprate

Recently, Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) disclosed in its third-quarter earnings report and related regulatory filings that the Salem Nuclear Generating Station, located in Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey, plans to add approximately 200 MW of generating capacity through technological upgrades.

As the 57% co-owner and operator of the dual-unit pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear plant, PSEG will receive approximately 112 MW of incremental generating share from the 200 MW capacity uprate, with the remaining share held by Constellation Energy Corporation. The Salem Nuclear Generating Station, together with the adjacent Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station, forms the backbone of New Jersey's clean energy supply, with the two stations accounting for more than 40% of the state's total electricity supply.

Alongside the announcement of the capacity expansion plan, PSEG disclosed in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that during the planned refueling outage of Unit 1 (Salem-1), on-site visual inspections revealed degradation of the thermal shield inside the reactor pressure vessel. The project team has promptly initiated further inspection and evaluation work, and the current refueling outage is expected to be appropriately extended to ensure thorough maintenance and operational safety. Prior to entering this outage, Unit 1 had set an excellent record of 491 days of continuous safe operation.

Ralph LaRossa, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of PSEG, stated that the company has submitted a notice of intent to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to apply for 20-year license extensions for the Salem and Hope Creek nuclear generating stations. In addition, PSEG is deeply engaged in the nuclear energy working group meetings initiated by New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, leveraging the station's existing Early Site Permit (ESP) advantage to fully advance the planning and implementation of the local new nuclear energy strategy.