The Troubling Trend of Chronic Downtime at Nuclear Power Stations

Chronic Downtime at Grand Gulf Nuclear Plant Raises Questions About the Role of Aging Reactors in the Electricity Industry

The Grand Gulf nuclear power plant in Mississippi, the largest single-unit U.S. nuclear power station, has been experiencing chronic downtime, raising concerns about the electric industry’s reliance on aging reactors for reliability and decarbonization of the grid.

According to daily reactor status reports, the plant was at reduced or zero power about 74% of the time in 2020. The reasons for this downtime included refueling, maintenance, and unplanned outages at the 35-year-old plant, which is owned by Entergy Corp. and operated by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).

This high rate of downtime has forced Entergy and MISO to rely on other sources of generation to fill the gap, potentially leading to increased costs and greenhouse gas emissions if fossil fuel sources are utilized.

Logan Atkinson Burke, executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy, highlighted the issue, stating, “The same rule applies to Grand Gulf as applies to coal, to gas, to any resource that we know we’re paying more for than we’re getting from. And the question is, who’s profiting from that, and who is being burdened by it?”

The performance of Grand Gulf has led observers to call for closer oversight of aging reactors, as they may face an uncertain future if they become too expensive to maintain. This could have national implications as the electricity industry transitions away from fossil fuels towards carbon emissions-free nuclear power.

While the industry argues that nuclear plants are performing well and companies are investing in their operation, Grand Gulf’s frequent downtime illustrates the challenges of relying on aging reactors. A multiday unplanned outage at the plant in 2018 resulted in higher costs for ratepayers in New Orleans, signaling the potential financial risks associated with such reactors.

In competitive markets, aging nuclear reactors face economic challenges as cheaper options like renewables undercut them. Grand Gulf operates in a regulated territory, providing some protection, but the viability of keeping such plants operational is not guaranteed.

Despite the challenges, the nuclear industry remains a critical part of the U.S. power grid, with over 90 operating reactors and additional plants under construction. The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) has highlighted the role of nuclear power in decarbonizing the grid and reducing carbon emissions.

While the industry has made investments to improve the performance of nuclear plants, Grand Gulf’s low capacity factor compared to other reactors has raised concerns. The plant’s recent performance issues, including mislabeling of waste and financial structure complaints, have drawn scrutiny from regulatory agencies.

Entergy, the main owner of Grand Gulf, has pledged to invest in upgrades and maintenance to ensure the plant’s long-term safe and reliable operation. However, concerns remain about the plant’s performance and the impact of its downtime on the grid.

The future of Grand Gulf and other aging nuclear reactors remains uncertain, as stakeholders assess the economic viability and safety of these plants in the changing energy landscape. Utilities and regulators are urged to plan for the future with credible data to ensure a reliable and sustainable electricity grid for years to come.

You can read the full article at the following link: https://www.eenews.net/articles/miss-plant-raises-concerns-about-nuclear-power/