Palisades Nuclear Power Plant begins fuel loading for historic restart

Holtec International has begun loading nuclear fuel into the reactor vessel at the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan, marking a significant milestone in the effort to restart the facility. This process represents the first time a commercial nuclear power plant in the United States is being returned to service after having entered the decommissioning phase.

The plant, which was decommissioned in 2022 after 40 years of operation, is undergoing extensive refurbishment to ensure long-term reliability. Completed work includes reinforcing steam generator tubes, replacing control rod drive mechanism nozzles, and various equipment modernizations. The reactor core is designed to support an 805-megawatt electric output using 204 fuel assemblies.

The restart project is supported by a $1.5 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy, $300 million in funding from the Michigan state government, and a power purchase agreement. Following the completion of fuel loading, the plant will proceed through required testing, inspections, and startup activities to reach commercial operation.