Nuclear

Palisades nuclear plant could restart in August 2025

The latest update came during a Congressional hearing this week.
Palisades nuclear plant could restart in August 2025
Palisades Operators train on the reconstituted Control Room Simulator in preparation for plant restart (Credit: Holtec)

Palisades, likely to become the U.S.’ first shut-down nuclear power plant to be recommissioned, is on track to restart in August 2025, according to an update from the top U.S. nuclear regulatory official.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chair Christopher Hanson told U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton, Michigan) environmental reviews are going well. He said the agency is reviewing the regulatory filings submitted by Holtec International and expects to have a decision next May.

“I would hope from our side, at least on the regulatory issues we’ve got, that we’re going to be done in less than a year,” said Hanson.

The latest update came during a Congressional hearing this week.

Palisades, the 800 MW facility in Covert Township, Michigan, would be upgraded to produce baseload power until at least 2051.

Holtec acquired the plant in June 2022 just after it was shut down. In early 2023, the company for federal loan funding to repower Palisades, which it received in the form of a $1.5 billion loan.

In May Holtec announced several milestones, including re-establishing the plant’s workforce, revitalizing training programs, procurement of plant systems and components, regulatory developments and firming up of funding streams. Holtec said more than 360 employees were working at the plant, an increase of nearly 150 personnel since the re-start began. The recruitment includes both former plant employees and new hires.

In addition to the main 800 MW reactor, Holtec intends to use the Palisades site as the location for its first two small modular reactor units, which would potentially add an additional 800 MW of generation capacity at the site.

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