Holtec International announced Tuesday that its Palisades nuclear facility in western Michigan has achieved operating status, becoming the first American nuclear plant to transition back from decommissioning.
The 800-megawatt facility owned by the Florida company has yet to produce electricity but may now load fuel into its reactor following completion of the remaining inspections and equipment work. The company expects full operations to resume by the end of 2025.
“When Palisades returns to service, it will produce more than 800 megawatts of safe, clean, and baseload electricity – enough to power over 800,000 homes and businesses,” Holtec announced Tuesday.
The plant shut down in 2022 during an industry-wide trend of nuclear closures as facilities struggled against cheaper natural gas alternatives. Holtec purchased the plant in June 2022 initially for decommissioning before reversing course months later with government support.
The Department of Energy has approved up to $1.52 billion in loan guarantees for the project, with Michigan contributing $300 million in state funding. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced a fourth loan disbursement of $100 million in June.
Read: Palisades Nuclear Plant Secures $1.5 Billion Loan for Restart
The restart effort had encountered technical hurdles, with plant assessments identifying over 1,000 steam generator tubes showing signs of corrosion damage that will need more extensive repairs than originally planned.
Critics have raised safety concerns about the restart. Alan Blind, who served as the plant’s engineering director for seven years until 2013, has submitted regulatory petitions questioning the approval process and safety standards.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved key licensing actions enabling the restart, including authorization for fuel loading.
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