PORT GIBSON, Miss. – Control room operators removed Grand Gulf Nuclear Station from service Feb. 14 to begin its 25th scheduled refueling and maintenance outage following months of safe, secure and reliable operation. During the outage, station and contract workers will perform maintenance and testing activities to prepare the station for its next operating cycle.

Refueling, maintenance and testing activities will be completed by more than 700 Grand Gulf full-time employees and supported by Entergy employees from other nuclear plants, as well as contract workers. The influx of more than 1,300 contract workers throughout the duration of the outage, many from outside the area, and their associated spending will provide an economic boost to the local communities.

“Refuel outages are necessary to refuel the plant, allowing us to provide safe and reliable electricity in a cost-effective manner. These outages provide an economic boost for local businesses and temporary housing providers,” said Brad Kapellas, Grand Gulf site vice president.

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, owned by System Energy Resources, Inc. and Cooperative Energy, is a boiling water reactor located in Port Gibson, Miss. Grand Gulf Nuclear Station began commercial operation July 1, 1985 and produces approximately 1,500 megawatts of safe and carbon-free electricity. The station boasts a team of more than 700 highly trained and dedicated nuclear professionals, committed to their plant and community.

What is a refueling outage?

Just like fueling up a vehicle, nuclear plants require refueling approximately every 18 to 24 months. Refueling outages are typically scheduled in the fall or spring when power demand is lower.

Refueling outages begin when plant operators take the unit offline, and the work begins. The team replaces a third of the fuel in the reactor, shuffles current fuel rods and replaces the removed fuel with new fuel. The new fuel will operate in the reactor for three cycles. A cycle refers to the time between outages. The used fuel that is removed is considered spent fuel and moved to the spent fuel pool where it is stored and then is moved to a concrete dry storage cask.

Watch Grand Gulf Operation’s Director Ryan Meyer explain:

While the unit is offline, the team completes maintenance work and other projects to improve reliability. Every detail of a refueling outage is meticulously planned and everyone plays a role. Major projects are planned years in advance, with all the work reviewed and approved long before the outage begins.

Supplemental personnel are brought in through contracting companies to complete specialty work and assist in the workload that an outage requires.

Just like regular maintenance on a vehicle, refueling outages ensure the plant runs safely and reliably, so we can continue powering life for Entergy customers.

Grand Gulf, owned by Entergy (90 percent) and Cooperative Energy (10 percent), is known worldwide for its generation capabilities. Since 1985, the plant has provided an economic boost to the community while providing low-cost power to Entergy’s customers. Additionally, Grand Gulf and its employees maintain a strong presence in the communities they serve by spending with local companies, and through charitable contributions and donations that promote community development, education and the environment.

About Entergy Nuclear

Entergy Nuclear, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is responsible for the operation of the Entergy utility nuclear fleet. Owned by Entergy’s utility companies, the nuclear fleet consists of five reactors in four locations, generating enough clean, carbon-free electricity to power millions of homes. Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. As a company, Entergy is investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at Entergy.com/nuclear and connect with @EntergyNuclear on social media.

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