Exelon Generation Illinois nuclear plants operated at full power during polar vortex, company says

Exelon Generation recently applauded its nuclear employees, noting that its six Illinois nuclear plants operated at full power during the recent record-breaking polar vortex.

“Our nuclear facilities are among the safest and most reliable power plants in the country, and we are dedicated to being online when customers need us most, even in the most frigid weather conditions,” Exelon’s Chief Nuclear Officer Bryan Hanson said. “Thank you to our more than 5,600 full-time Illinois nuclear employees for braving the freezing cold to keep our fleet operating effectively. We are fortunate in Illinois that we don’t have to choose between clean energy and reliability — our six well-run nuclear facilities deliver both.”

Exelon noted that its nuclear facilities produce enough electricity for 11 million homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals.

“Winter resiliency and reliability requires year-long planning, preparation, and maintenance,” Exelon said in a news release. “Exelon Generation workers spend months ensuring that backup generators and spare equipment is ready for inclement weather.”

This fall, Exelon said, workers inspected freeze protection systems, tested equipment and properly aligned plant systems to prepare for winter conditions. Exelon employees also perform equipment upgrades and winter readiness maintenance activities during refueling outages.

Last winter, its Illinois nuclear fleet operated 97.6 percent of the time last winter, the company said.