Nuclear Power, Illinois' Largest Source of Carbon-Free Energy, Delivers Record-Breaking Reliability During the Pandemic
In 2020, Exelon Generation's Illinois nuclear fleet generated a record amount of carbon-free electricity, crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fleet achieved significant milestones, with Byron and Dresden stations breaking world records for refueling outages, while other plants set annual production records. Exelon’s plants accounted for over half of Illinois’ electricity and nearly 90% of its carbon-free energy, with an impressive capacity factor of 95.4%. However, the planned retirement of Byron and Dresden stations this fall, due to unfavorable market policies, raises concerns as they produce 30% of the state's carbon-free power.
- Achieved record carbon-free electricity production in 2020.
- Byron and Dresden stations set world records for shortest refueling outage durations.
- Plants account for over 50% of Illinois' electricity and nearly 90% of its carbon-free energy.
- Capacity factor of 95.4% demonstrates operational efficiency.
- Third consecutive year averaging 22 days or fewer for planned refueling outages.
- Planned retirement of Byron and Dresden stations due to flawed market policies.
- Byron and Dresden provide 30% of Illinois' carbon-free power and employ 1,500 workers.
While Illinois and the world adjusted to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Exelon Generation’s Illinois nuclear fleet produced a record-breaking amount of reliable, carbon-free electricity to ensure hospitals, nursing homes, businesses and vital infrastructure had the power needed to help Americans combat the virus.
“The reliable generation of electricity is important in any year, but in 2020 that job became even more vital as every facet of our lives was challenged by the pandemic," said Dave Rhoades, Chief Nuclear Officer of Exelon Generation. "Our frontline, essential workers battled weather extremes of heat and cold and multiple storms in 2020, all while adjusting to new procedures and safety measures brought on by COVID-19. Our mission is to safely deliver carbon-free, reliable energy for customers and we’re grateful to our employees for accomplishing that goal.”
Nuclear produces clean energy 24/7 and is the most reliable form of power generation.
In Illinois last year, Exelon Generation’s Byron and Dresden stations each set world records for shortest refueling outage duration for pressurized water reactors and boiling water reactors, the respective reactor type of each facility. The Braidwood, Clinton, LaSalle and Quad Cities stations also set annual records for the amount of electricity produced at each station. The company’s six Illinois nuclear plants generate more than half of the state’s electricity and nearly 90 percent of its carbon-free energy.
Exelon Generation’s nuclear plants, which are located in Illinois, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania, produced nearly 150 million megawatt-hours of zero-emissions energy in 2020, the equivalent of taking 32 million cars off the road. The units’ capacity factor, a metric used to measure the percentage of time units operate, was an incredible 95.4 percent, significantly higher than other energy sources. Planned refueling and maintenance outages account for much of the offline time.
This is the third consecutive year Exelon’s planned refueling outages averaged 22 days or fewer – solidifying its world-class expertise at performing important upgrades and maintenance projects while keeping the time the reactors are offline to a minimum. Electricians, pipe fitters, welders, carpenters, laborers and other workers from union halls play a critical role in completing the tasks, inspections and other maintenance activities during outages to get the reactors back online producing electricity.
“Exelon provides thousands of jobs for highly-skilled union workers across Northern Illinois,” said Terry McGoldrick, President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 15. “The highly skilled, hard work of these employees ensures Illinois’ nuclear power plants operate safely and provide the region with reliable, carbon-free power.”
Despite the ongoing safe and reliable performance, Exelon Generation has announced the planned retirement of both its Byron and Dresden plants in Northern Illinois due to flawed market policies that fail to compensate nuclear for the carbon-free characteristic of the energy produced by the stations. Byron and Dresden, which are scheduled to be shut down this fall, together employ 1,500 employees and produce 30 percent of Illinois’ carbon-free power.
Exelon Generation, a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (Nasdaq: EXC), is the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free energy, powering more than 20 million homes and businesses through a diverse generation fleet with more than 31,000 megawatts of capacity. Exelon Generation operates the largest U.S. fleet of zero-carbon nuclear plants with more than 18,700 megawatts from 21 reactors at 12 facilities in Illinois, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania. It also operates a diverse mix of wind, solar, landfill gas, hydroelectric, natural gas and oil facilities in 19 states with more than 12,300 megawatts. Exelon Generation sets the standard for world-class power plant operations that produce clean, safe, reliable electricity, and is an active partner and economic engine in the communities it serves by providing jobs, charitable contributions and tax payments that help towns and regions grow. Follow Exelon Generation on Twitter @ExelonGen, view the Exelon Generation YouTube channel or visit exeloncorp.com.
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