Operators at Xcel Energy’s (NYSE: XEL) 1,100 MW Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant began a scheduled refueling outage on Unit 2 on Feb. 21.
During the outage, several hundred contractors will help plant staff complete maintenance tasks to prepare the unit for its next operating cycle and will replace approximately one-third of the unit’s fuel. Each of Prairie Island’s two reactors is refueled approximately once every 18 months. Unit 1 continues to operate at full power.
During refueling outages, Xcel Energy purchases electricity from other utilities directly or via the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator or increases production at its other generating plants to ensure an adequate power supply for customers.
Subscribe to Nuclear Power International magazine
Print
Email
Save
