The Palisades reactor cavity and fuel-handling machine. (Photo: Holtec)
The Palisades nuclear power plant has drawn closer to restart, as plant staff began the process of loading fuel into the reactor vessel on Sunday morning.
The commencement of fuel loading places the Covert, Mich., facility in Mode 6—or the refueling stage—under the plant’s technical specifications, plant owner and operator Holtec International said in a news release. The Palisades reactor core consists of 204 fuel assemblies that include new fuel and partially used fuel from the plant’s most recent operating cycles. According to Holtec, the fuel loading is being conducted in accordance with plant procedures and technical specifications.
A new (re)start: Palisades could become the first U.S. nuclear power plant to restart after being slated for decommissioning. The loading of fuel comes after more than two years of inspection, maintenance, refurbishment, testing, and equipment upgrades needed to get to Palisades ready for commercial operations. In July, Holtec said large-scale projects had been completed and that smaller activities were all that remained.
“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,” Holtec Chief Nuclear Officer Fadi Diya said in the announcement. “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.”
What comes next: This weekend’s announcement did not set a firm date for the resumption of commercial operation. In an interview earlier in the summer, Holtec founder and CEO Kris Singh said he expects Palisades to “restart this year, ahead of its contract to supply power by March 2027.” According to Holtec, following completion of fuel loading, Palisades’ plant systems will undergo testing, inspections, and startup activities to determine if they are ready to go. These activities are being led by Diya, Site Vice President Mike Schultheis, General Manager Adam Eastridge, and the site’s leadership team; independent oversight from the Palisades Nuclear Safety Review Board is chaired by industry veteran Michael Rencheck. Diya took over the CNO role on July 27, while the independent review board was established on August 3.
The one-unit, 777-MWe Palisades has already undergone extensive work in preparation for commercial operations. According to Holtec, this includes extensive reinforcement of tubes in the two steam generators, the removal of accumulated corrosive species from steam generation space, the replacement of the plant’s control rod drive mechanism nozzles, chemical decontamination and passivation of the primary system, reactor vessel inspections, equipment upgrades, and modernization projects.
