Monticello nuclear plant completes refueling and maintenance projects

The Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant resumed operations May 14 after employees finished refueling and maintenance projects during the plant’s 28th refueling in its 46 years of operation. The work involved nearly 600 plant workers and about 800 contract specialists from around the country.

The 29 day refueling marks one of the shortest and most efficient refueling periods in plant history. This translates into value for Xcel Energy customers by reducing costs and enabling more carbon-free electricity to be delivered to customers. The plant is now poised to run almost two full years before another refueling is needed. Prior to this month, the plant had run 500 consecutive days.

“Long term operation of the Monticello nuclear plant is a key strategy in Xcel Energy’s plan to provide more than 60 percent carbon-free energy to our customers,” said Pete Gardner, site vice president, Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Xcel Energy. “Successfully refueling our plant and completing key maintenance helps deliver the value of reliable, carbon-free electricity to our region. Our team performed their tasks safely, efficiently and effectively in under a month to position our plant to provide round-the-clock electricity to our customers.”

Employees spent 150,000 work hours completing over 6,000 jobs that ranged from replacing equipment to maintaining components and wrapping up projects that cannot be completed while the plant is running. The power plant was refueled by replacing more than 4 million fuel pellets arranged into 148 fuel assemblies within the reactor core, about one-third of the plant’s total fuel. Each fuel pellet contains as much energy as a barrel of oil.

The Monticello Nuclear Plant is the area’s largest employer. According to a newly released study by the Nuclear Energy Institute, the plant generates about $447 million in overall economic activity each year in Minnesota. The additional work force, local suppliers and service providers required for this work demonstrate the economic value the nuclear plant brings to the region.

When operating, the power plant generates enough electricity to power more than 500,000 homes.

Republished with permission from here.