Columbia NPP Produces Record Output In 2016

The Columbia Generating Station near Richland, Washington, set a 32-year record for electricity generation in 2016 despite two unplanned outages during the year, Energy Northwest announced Wednesday.

Columbia sent more than 9.6 million megawatt-hours of electricity to the grid, beating the previous generation record set in 2014, which amounted to 9.5 million MWhrs). In fact, Columbia has set new generation records four out of the last five years, the company said.

For calendar year 2012, the plant produced 9,33,708 MWhrs. This was followed in subsequent years of 2013 through 2016 with production amounting to 8,460,890 MWhrs (2013), 9,497,322 MWhrs (2014), 8,160,912 MWhrs (2014) and 8,160,912 MWhrs (2015). The precise figure for 2016 came to 9,625,621 MWhrs.

“Columbia’s low-cost power is absolutely critical if we’re to achieve this state’s and the region’s clean energy goals,” said Mark Reddemann, Energy Northwest chief executive officer.

While the record was being set, the plant suffered two setbacks during the year: an unplanned outage in March, the first in more than six years for the station; and an equipment malfunction at the Bonneville Power Administration’s Ashe Substation, which required Columbia to power down for a week last month.

“The team rallied after both instances, there’s no doubt about it,” said Brad Sawatzke, chief nuclear officer.

Columbia began 2016 setting a monthly generation record (860,813 MWhrs), breaking the record set the December before. In April, the American Public Power Association awarded Energy Northwest first place in its Safety Awards of Excellence. Energy Northwest’s APPA safety score was more than ten times better than the second-place finisher in its category. In December, the state’s chamber of commerce, the Association of Washington Business, named EN its 2016 Employer of the Year.

Columbia’s electricity output has been steadily increasing over the past five years in part due to work performed during the plant’s biennial refueling and maintenance outages, work that has added roughly 40 megawatts to its capacity since 2011. Columbia now has an output of 1,190 megawatts (gross) while operating at a capacity factor above 93 percent since 2012. Columbia will shut down for its next refueling and maintenance outage May 13.

Columbia Generating Station is the third largest generator of electricity in Washington state. All of its electricity is sold at-cost to BPA. Columbia represents about 12 percent of BPA’s firm energy and 9.5 percent of Bonneville’s sustained peak capacity. Ninety-two Northwest utilities receive a percentage of its output.

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