Nuclear power plant shut down after switchgear malfunction


May 25, 2012

Entergy Corp. (NYSE: ETR)’s 974 MW River Bend nuclear power plant in Louisiana was shut down May 24 due to loss of a high-pressure feed to the reactor following a switchgear malfunction.

Workers said after the scram, smoke was seen around the Reactor Feed Pump B termination cabinet and the fire brigade was activated, but no fire was reported, according to a report on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission website. Damage was reported to cabling and circuit boards in the turbine building, and the Technical Support Center and Operations Support Center both lost power before power was restored about two hours later.

There is no word on when the plant will return to service. Entergy said there was no danger to the public and no release of radiation.

Subscribe to Nuclear Power International magazine