Ginna Nuclear Power Plant celebrates five decades of operation
Exelon Generation’s R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant in Ontario, New York, recently reached the 50th anniversary since the first nuclear reaction took place at the plant, the company said.
“Nuclear energy remains a reliable source of zero-emissions energy, providing electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week through all weather conditions,” R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant Site Vice President Paul Swift said. “Last year, New York’s four nuclear units provided more than 40 percent of the state’s emissions-free electricity while avoiding 16 million tons of carbon annually—that’s equivalent to 3.3 million cars running the roads.”
The plant generates enough electricity to power approximately 500,000 homes and businesses and prevents the release of more than two million tons of carbon dioxide, 1,000 tons of nitrogen oxide, and 1,040 tons of sulfur dioxide annually, the company said.
The plant generates power more than 95 percent of the time and achieved its highest-ever capacity factor in 2016, generating electricity 99.6 percent of the year.
Exelon also noted that the plant directly employs hundreds of people and adds 800 to 1,000 additional jobs during bi-annual refueling outages. According to a 2015 NEI study, the plant generates $358 million of annual economic output statewide and $450 million annually across the United States.
“Exelon Generation is an incredible community partner,” State Sen. Pamela Helming said. “I am proud to work with them and celebrate their contributions to the region. As one of the largest employers in Wayne County, they continue to invest in their most valuable resource – their employees — and are committed to providing the reliable energy that keeps the lights on in our homes and powers our economy.”
