PLYMOUTH – The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth is back at 100 percent power after it reduced capacity to 23 percent this past weekend because of valve issues at the plant.
Pilgrim spokesman Patrick O’Brien said that the power reduction came as a result of pre-scheduled maintenance.
According to Pilgrim, backwashes are routine maintenance conducted 5-6 times annually to ensure safe and reliable operation of the main condenser by removing mussel growth.
Valves are responsible for regulating water flow into nuclear reactors, and keeping them fully operational has been a consistent issue at the Plymouth facility.
Similar valve issues led to a number of unplanned shutdowns of the plant last year.
Plant owner Entergy will shut down Pilgrim permanently this June.