They have turned another page in the story of the Palisades Nuclear Power plant return to service. Holtec International detailed the official change in NRC designation from ‘decommissioning’ to ‘operational’ in this news release.
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The Palisades Power Plant in Covert Township this week has, officially transitioned from decommissioning to operations status under the oversight of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This milestone follows the agency’s July 24 approval of Holtec’s licensing package to reauthorize power operations, making Palisades the first nuclear plant in U.S. history to move from decommissioning back to operations.
With this transition, Palisades is now authorized to receive nuclear fuel and restart the plant once allowable conditions are met within the approved Technical Specifications. The plant’s Emergency Plan is fully active, supported by a trained and engaged Emergency Response Organization, which completed its FEMA/NRC-graded exercise with local and state partners last month. These steps position Palisades squarely in the final phase of restart preparations, as inspections, testing, and maintenance continue under rigorous independent federal oversight.
On-shift Palisades Control Room Operations team marking the historic transition from decommissioning back to power operations status
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. Beyond strengthening Michigan’s energy security, this achievement signals a historic first for the nuclear industry and reinforces the essential role of nuclear power in America’s energy future.
Progress on Steam Generators and Turbine Systems
Before the plant officially resumes power operations, extensive ongoing project work will be completed. Recent progress includes the completion of Steam Generator primary side repairs via tube sleeving and plugging, with crews now advancing through deep cleaning of the Steam Generators’ secondary systems to prepare the equipment for long-term safe and reliable operation.
Among the most impressive evolutions now underway is the reassembly of the Main Generator and Turbine, including the reinstallation of our 183-ton generator rotor after extensive rotor and stator inspections. This highly complex work required careful preparation, rigorous controls, and strict foreign material exclusion – all reflecting the strength, skill, and attention to detail of the Palisades team. Additional milestones include Emergency Diesel Generator maintenance and test runs and the installation of a refurbished Primary Coolant Pump motor.
Palisades is currently supported by more than 600 full-time nuclear professionals and over 1,000 skilled contractors, vendors, and suppliers, with a fully staffed team of licensed Operators already in place – all of which underscores the scale of effort driving this historic restart.
Paving the Way for SMR-300 Deployment
Looking ahead, the historic restart of Palisades will also pave the way for another first: the construction and commissioning of Holtec’s first-of-its-kind SMR-300 small modular reactors at the site by the beginning of the next decade. To avoid disruption of ongoing restart work, on-site SMR activity to date has been limited to site preparation and geotechnical work on the land where the twin 300-megawatt units will be built. The SMRs will be delivered in partnership with Hyundai Engineering & Construction, builder of the recently completed four-reactor Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates.
Headline photo: Crews reinstall the 183-ton Turbine Rotor after extensive inspection
