Xcel’s Prairie Island nuclear plant will be out of commission until January

An equipment issue at the Prairie Island plant near Red Wing hasn’t impacted electric service, but it could lead to higher fuel costs that are passed down to Xcel’s customers on their monthly bills. 

By Walker Orenstein Star Tribune, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

An equipment problem at Xcel Energy’s nuclear power plant near Red Wing has shut down the facility likely until January, causing a three-month outage for one of the utility’s biggest power sources.

The issue at the Prairie Island plant hasn’t affected electric service, but it could lead to higher fuel costs that are passed down to Xcel’s customers on their monthly bills.

On Oct. 19, one of two units at the plant shut itself down after an issue between the turbine and the electric grid, said Xcel spokesman Kevin Coss. The company said repairs are underway as it replaces cabling between the unit and the substation at the plant.

…………………………………Dave Lochbaum, a nuclear safety engineer formerly with the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the issue sounded like “an aging problem.” Other plants down for that long have had issues with their electric distribution systems, he said, and often with the generator itself.

“Things do wear out,” Lochbaum said.

…………………………………………………………… This is the second unplanned outage at an Xcel nuclear plant in recent months. Xcel’s Monticello nuclear plant shut down Sept. 27 after an issue with pressure control valves in the turbine during scheduled testing. Xcel told federal regulators that all safety systems functioned properly and there were no environmental or health impacts. Xcel made repairs to the plant, which is now running………… more https://www.startribune.com/xcels-prairie-island-nuclear-plant-will-be-out-of-commission-until-january/600321701/

November 26, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA