Located about three miles northwest of Monticello, and 40 miles northwest of the Twin Cities on the banks of the Mississippi River, the plant’s capacity can now be increased to 671MW from 600MW.
The plant operators will start increasing power at small intervals within a month to ensure everything is functioning as designed.
Additionally, the company is seeking an NRC consent, which is expected in spring 2014 and that will allow enhanced operator flexibility prior to increasing the plant’s capacity.
NRC had granted a 40-year license to the Monticello plant, which become operational in 1970, and has subsequently extended the operational life of the plant by another 20 years.
The single unit boiling water reactor plant currently generates enough electricity to power around 50,000 homes.
Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota president and CEO Dave Sparby said the plant currently generates about 10% of the electricity the company provides customers in its Upper Midwest service territory and the increased output will provide additional low-cost energy to the customers.
