Xcel Energy said the power up-rate would cost around $105 million to $135 million. The work done during this outage will raise the plant’s output by around 15 MW.
The rest of the power up-rate, estimated to add around 56 MW, will occur during a refueling outage in 2011.
The unit’s last shut for refueling was from about March 14, 2007 to April 30, 2007 and is on a 24-month refueling cycle.
Xcel Energy said it would use around 1,200 contractors in addition to assist the usual plant staff during this outage.
The Monticello station is located in Monticello in Wright county around 40 miles northwest of Minneapolis and has entered service in 1971.
One MW powers around 800 homes in Minnesota.
The NRC has renewed the plant’s original 40-year operating license in 2006, for additional 20 years until 2030.
