US-based electricity generator Exelon Nuclear has announced that its 17 generating units produced a total of 132.3 million net megawatt-hours of electricity in 2007, the highest annual production ever for the commercial nuclear reactors operator.
Exelon stated that the fleet also achieved an average capacity factor of 94.5%, an all-time high for the company and the fifth consecutive year over 93%. The industry average capacity factor in 2006 was 89.9%, according to the company. Exelon’s generating units, at 10 sites in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, generated 955,000MWh more than the previous record established in 2006.
Exelon noted that safety and environmental statistics at its plants increased along with the production in 2007. The 10 plants recorded their lowest industrial safety accident rate and number of unplanned shutdowns ever. At the same time, Exelon claims that the plants prevented 121 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by eliminating the need for an equivalent amount of coal-based generation.