US Nuclear Plant to Close After Failing to Attract a Buyer

The 38 year old nuclear power plant at Kewaunee in the United States is due to close in April 2013 after it failed to attract a buyer. The 566 MW unit was put up for sale in April 2011 by the large nuclear utility Dominion Resources. The lack of interest in the power plant was according to its owners due to poor economics as a result of the region’s low wholesale electricity prices. According to the New York Times, the decision was viewed as an indication that closures of older coal stations in the Midwest, resulting from lower gas prices, was now moving into the nuclear sector. The early closure of the plant is particularly worrying for the industry as the reactor received a 20 year plant life extension in February 2011.