Columbia nuclear plant posts its biggest output year ever

Energy Northwest recently said that in 2014, Columbia Generating Station NR 15-01, near Richland, Washington, produced the most clean nuclear energy compared with any other year in its 30-year history for the Northwest power grid.

“We are doing what Energy Northwest does best: providing reliable, clean, cost-effective electricity to the region’s ratepayers,” Energy Northwest CEO Mark Reddemann said. “During 2014, Columbia operated at a 98.6 percent capacity factor. That number directly reflects our team’s commitment to excellence in performance.”

In 2014, 9.5 megawatt-hours (MWhrs) of electricity were sent to the grid. The previous record was in 2012, with 9.3 MWhrs.

The Columbia Generating Station has not had an unplanned shutdown in five years. The next planned shutdown will begin in May.

The Bonneville Power Administration said the Columbia facility is expected to save ratepayers approximately $125 million in the next rate period.

“We are providing benefits to the region, both from our generation of electricity and from working closely with our partners on increasing value through these strategic financial transactions. We are seeing successes on both sides,” Brent Ridge, Energy Northwest's vice president of corporate services and chief financial and risk officer, said