The unit was closed recently as data from the extensive vibration monitoring equipment installed on the turbine identified potential small cracks on few turbine blades.
Workers replaced the cracked turbine blades and also performed additional maintenance work on the reactor that can be done only when the unit is closed.
During a refuelling outage, the Unit 1 turbine was modernized with newly designed blades to reduce vibration, which is believed to be a primary contributor to blade crack growth.
PPL Susquehanna is planning to install the Unit 2 turbine with newly designed blades during its next scheduled refuelling outage planned in spring of 2015.
Located in Luzerne County about seven miles north of Berwick, the Susquehanna plant operated by PPL Susquehanna and is owned jointly by PPL Susquehanna and Allegheny Electric.
