While work continues to restart the Palisades nuclear power plant in Covert Township, Holtec International is also laying the groundwork to open a new, first-of-its-kind nuclear facility on the same site.
Holtec’s Nick Culp tells us the company plans to build two small modular reactors — a new technology that seeks to be more efficient, flexible, and lower cost than conventional nuclear reactors. They’re setting the stage for the SMRs now.
“We’ve started doing some early site prep work and clearing on the north end of our property, which is up near our training building,” Culp said. “We’ve also received a $400 million grant last year from the U.S. Department of Energy for that project.”
Culp says the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has accepted part 1 of the SMR construction permit application. Holtec hopes to bring the Pioneer 1 and 2 units online in the 2030s if all goes well, and Culp says they’ll be at the cutting edge of nuclear tech.
“Really, between the restart of the Palisades plant and adding those two small modular reactor units, we are making Southwest Michigan a hub for American energy independence and for the resurgence of nuclear power in this country and perhaps around the world.”
Culp tells us there are many steps that will need to be taken as the SMR project progresses.
“To build a new nuclear power plant is a very heavy lift. We’ve got excellent partners with Hyundai Engineering and Construction and Mitsubishi, who are a part of this process.”
The planned two-unit small modular reactor project is expected to provide an additional 680 megawatts of total electric output, complementing the more than 800 megawatt output from the restarted Palisades plant.
“A huge uh addition to our electric grid, providing stability. If we think about things like data centers and AI and the amount of demand that that’s going to be placing on our taxed electric grid, those will be a tremendous lifeline as we’re looking to grow and invest here in Southwest Michigan.”
Holtec is expecting the Pioneer units to be among the first SMRs commissioned in the United States, if not the first.
