Corrosion cracking in the steam generators at the Palisades nuclear reactor has significantly exceeded estimates, according to a report published by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on 2 October. The findings come shortly after the Biden administration approved a $1.52 billion loan guarantee to finance the restart of the 800MW Michigan-based plant, marking the first recommissioning of a retired nuclear facility in US history.
The NRC found stress cracking in 1,163 of the 16,000 steam generator tubes, far more than anticipated based on previous operations. Holtec, the plant operator, plans to conduct repairs, which are expected to extend the generator’s lifespan by 30 years. Despite the setback, the company aims to restart the plant in 2025 as scheduled, providing clean energy to around 800,000 homes across the Midwest, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois.