Palisades, first U.S. nuclear power plant to start operation after been closed
Holtec International, the company that owns the plant, announced in October 2023 the start of the application process to reactivate the plant, which is being studied by the NRC and is progressing positively. The regulatory body is expected to make a final decision in May next year.
The project also has the backing of the Biden Administration, which in March granted a loan guarantee to Holtec to facilitate the reactivation of Palisades.
The NRC expects the Palisades nuclear power plant to resume commercial operation in August 2025
A milestone in the history of U.S. nuclear energy
Palisades will become the first nuclear power plant in the United States to return to operation after being decommissioned in 2022.
Holtec acquired the Palisades pressurized water nuclear power plant in 2022, an 805 MW facility that began operation in 1971. Following its purchase, the plant entered the decommissioning phase, and the removed nuclear fuel is stored in the pool. Despite this, the plant's structure and equipment remain intact and undismantled.
After its closure, the structure and equipment of the Palisades plant remain intact and undismantled
With its reactivation, it will provide clean baseload power until at least 2051, avoiding approximately 4.47 million tons of CO2 emissions per year, which translates to a total of 111 million tons over 25 years of operation.
Holtec currently has 457 employees and 350 contractors at Palisades, and expects these numbers to grow to 600 permanent employees and 1,000 contractors when the plant is operational.
Holtec currently has 457 employees and 350 contractors in Palisades.
Project progress
Holtec International has been working intensively on preparations for its reactivation. In order to ensure that the plant meets all regulatory and safety standards, in addition to the ongoing environmental review, Holtec is investing in technology upgrades and infrastructure improvements.
The reactivation of Palisades is an important contribution to climate change mitigation and underscores the commitment of the country's governments and private companies to sustainable development. It will not only help to significantly reduce carbon emissions, but will also ensure a reliable and continuous source of secure energy for decades to come. The NRC's final decision next May will be a decisive step in this process, leading the way to a more sustainable energy future.
