COVERT TOWNSHIP, Mich., Aug. 30, 2026 — We are thrilled to announce that Palisades began the process for loading nuclear fuel into the plant’s reactor vessel this morning, marking a historic milestone as America’s first shuttered nuclear power plant begins its step-by-step return to active power generation. The commencement of fuel loading will place Palisades in Mode 6 under the plant’s Technical Specifications on the road to the station’s commercial operation.
The reactor core, consisting of 204 fuel assemblies, including new fuel and partially used fuel from the plant’s most recent operating cycles, is designed to support the plant’s 805-megawatt electric output. This milestone follows more than two years of extensive inspection, maintenance, refurbishment, testing, and equipment upgrades across the station to ensure utmost reliability and resiliency for long-term operation.
Major work completed during the restart effort included extensive reinforcement of tubes in the two steam generators; removal of accumulated corrosive species from their steam generation space; replacement of the plant’s control rod drive mechanism nozzles; chemical decontamination and passivation of the primary system; reactor vessel inspections; and numerous equipment upgrades and modernization projects. In several areas, the scope of planned work was expanded to further enhance the plant’s long-term reliability.
Fuel loading is conducted in accordance with plant procedures and Technical Specifications. Following completion of fuel loading, Palisades will progress through a series of required testing, inspections, and startup activities as plant systems are declared fit for operation. These activities are being led by Holtec International Chief Nuclear Officer Fadi Diya, Site Vice President Mike Schultheis, Plant General Manager Adam Eastridge, and the site’s superb leadership team, with independent oversight from the Palisades Nuclear Safety Review Board, chaired by industry veteran Michael Rencheck.
“Loading fuel into the Palisades reactor is an important milestone and a reflection of the tremendous effort of the men and women who have brought this plant to this point,” said CNO Diya. “I am proud to lead an organization with such talented and dedicated people who have a deep sense of pride in this plant and a deep commitment to their community. We remain focused on disciplined execution of the remaining work and returning Palisades to safe and reliable operation.”
Holtec recognizes the significant contributions of the many organizations supporting the restart effort, including the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, peer nuclear facilities, the Nuclear Energy Institute and the numerous contractors and industry partners that have provided specialized expertise throughout the project.
The reincarnation of Palisades as an operating plant has been made possible by critical financial support from the State of Michigan, a substantial loan from the U.S. Department of Energy, and long-term power purchase agreements with Wolverine Power Cooperative and Hoosier Energy. Holtec is grateful to its federal, state, and community partners for reposing their confidence in our company to return Palisades to service. Palisades is now proceeding through the remaining pre-startup activities before arriving at its red-letter day.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company’s planned restart of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. Forward-looking statements involve risks, contingencies, and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. The forward-looking statements in this post speak only as of the date of this post. We undertake no obligation to update these statements unless required by law, and we caution you not to place undue reliance on them.
About Holtec
Holtec is a U.S.-headquartered, multinational technology company focused on clean energy, with its principal business centered on nuclear power generation and an expanding presence in adjacent clean energy generation solutions and long-duration energy storage. The Company is the owner/developer of the SMR-300 advanced small modular reactor featuring passive safety systems and currently expects the first two units to be deployed at the Company-owned Palisades site in Michigan. Holtec is also refurbishing the Palisades nuclear power plant, which would be the first commercial nuclear reactor in the United States to be repowered after permanent shutdown. Holtec is the NRC-authorized Operator for the Palisades plant.
The Company’s business profile is distinguished by the ownership of nearly 220 granted patents, a substantial portfolio of proprietary technologies and trade secrets, three large U.S.-based manufacturing facilities for nuclear fabrication and operations on five continents. The Company has provided products and services to a client base of more than 150 nuclear reactors worldwide. Holtec’s technical capabilities include reactor design, reactor operations, engineering, licensing, manufacturing, construction, commissioning, and decommissioning services. As such, Holtec believes that it is well-positioned to help catalyze the growth of the nuclear power industry in the U.S. and around the world. The Company is also expanding its activities in solar energy and long duration energy storage technologies intended to enhance renewable energy reliability and complement its SMR-300 product line.
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