Byron Nuclear Plant Completes Major Upgrade Work

BYRON — Crews at Constellation’s Byron Generating Station are completing the largest upgrade at the facility since the late 1990s. The work is part of an $800 million modernization effort at the Byron and Braidwood Generating Station stations. It is expected to increase output by a combined 158 megawatts, enough to power about 100,000 additional homes. During a routine 18 month refueling outage this spring, crews installed new low pressure turbines in Unit 1. Additional turbine upgrades are planned for Unit 2 during a fall outage. New high pressure turbines are scheduled for both units in 2027 and 2028. The overall project is expected to be completed in 2028. Officials say the upgrades will strengthen the regional power grid and support the local economy by bringing in hundreds of temporary skilled workers.