Xcel Energy said operators returned the 600 MW Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant near Monticello, Minn., and the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant Unit 1, to full power August 20 after shutting them down the week prior.
The Monticello plant was returned to full power after workers repaired a gasket on a pipe flange. Prairie Island Unit 1 is also back online and continues to move toward full power, following an unrelated shut down. Operators placed the 550 MW Unit 1, about 40mi southeast of Minneapolis-St. Paul, in service after workers repaired minor exhaust leaks on the diesel generators. When operators shut the units down, all plant safety systems functioned as designed.
Prairie Island Unit 2, also a 550 MW unit, was not affected by the Unit 1 shut down and continued to operate at full power.