DELTA, PA —Peach Bottom Unit 3 has reached a new power generation milestone of 1,355 megawatts, following the successful completion of an extended power uprate (EPU) that began in 2009. EPU projects are sanctioned by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and require extensive design reviews, as well as upgrades to plant components and safety systems.
“Peach Bottom’s extended power uprate project is great news for the plant, the environment, the local economy and regional customers,” said Tom Dougherty, Exelon senior vice president for Mid-Atlantic operations. “With the equipment upgrades in place, Peach Bottom can now generate an additional 270 megawatts of carbon-free electricity, enough power for more than 250,000 regional homes and businesses while saving more than two million tons of carbon dioxide each year.”
Since 2009, Exelon has been working with the NRC to finalize the EPU design review and perform the equipment upgrades. Peach Bottom’s EPU application called for replacing the high pressure turbines, feed pump turbines, condensate pumps and motors, and steam dryers on both units. The station’s low-pressure turbines, main power transformers and main generators had already been upgraded in support of the EPU project. These upgrades required the skills of thousands of employees, contractors and technicians, many of whom support local businesses while in the area.
“The successful completion of this project is the result of years of hard work by Peach Bottom employees and contractors,” said Mike Massaro, Peach Bottom site vice president. “As part of EPU, almost every major component in the plant has been upgraded or replaced, which makes Peach Bottom an even safer and more efficient facility.”
Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station is located on the west bank of the Conowingo Pond (Susquehanna River) in York County, Pa. The station is home to two boiling water reactors, capable of powering more than 2.25 million homes and businesses. Both reactors began commercial operation in 1974.
