Progress Energy has opted to repair its nuclear power plant in Crystal River.

The project is estimated to cost between $900 million and $1.3 billion, according to a company news release on Monday.

"Based on an initial review, the company believes that repairing the unit is the best option, and is taking steps to complete more detailed engineering and construction analyses," the news release says. "At this time, the company estimates that the unit would return to service in 2014."

Progress Energy will meet with the FPSC July 14 to discuss the company’s plan in more detail and determine the appropriate timing for moving forward, in coordination with regulators.

“This would be a major repair, requiring significant cooperation and coordination with state and federal regulators and others,” said Vincent Dolan, Progress Energy Florida president and CEO. “Based on our initial review, our objective is to return the plant to service to ensure that it continues to be a safe, dependable and emission-free resource to meet our customers’ energy needs reliably and affordably for many years to come. The Crystal River Nuclear Plant is our least-cost resource to operate, and with it in service, our customers save about $300 million a year in fuel costs. That translates to significant savings over the life of the plant.

"In the meantime, nuclear safety remains our top priority. The plant remains shut down and in a safe condition. We will continue to provide energy from other company and purchased resources to meet our customers’ needs for reliable electricity.”

Initial damage to the plant’s containment building occurred in late 2009 while workers were creating an opening in the structure to facilitate the replacement of the steam generators inside. The work to create the opening caused a delamination (or separation) in the concrete at the periphery of the containment building. The unit was already shut down for refueling and maintenance at the time the damage was found.

In mid-March this year, during the final stages of returning the unit to service, work was suspended while engineers investigated and subsequently determined that a second delamination had occurred in another area of the structure. Similar to the initial delamination, the second separation occurred about nine inches from the outer surface of the concrete. The Crystal River Nuclear Plant containment structure is about 42 inches thick, contains both horizontal and vertical tensioned steel tendons, and is lined with a 3/8-inch-thick steel plate.

Progress Energy engaged outside engineering experts to perform an analysis of possible repair options for the second delamination. The consultants analyzed 22 potential repair options and ultimately narrowed those to four. Progress Energy, along with independent experts, reviewed the four options for technical issues, constructability, and licensing feasibility as well as cost.

Based on that initial analysis, the company selected the best repair option. The option would entail systematically removing and replacing concrete in the containment structure walls. The planned option does not include the area where concrete was replaced during the initial repair. The preliminary cost estimate for this repair is between $900 million and $1.3 billion.

The company is moving forward systematically and will perform additional detailed engineering analyses and designs, which could affect any final repair plan. This process will lead to more certainty for the cost and schedule of the repair. The company will continue to refine and assess the plan (and the prudence of continuing to pursue it) based on new developments and analyses as the process moves forward. A number of factors could affect the repair plan, the return-to-service date and costs, including regulatory reviews, the ultimate work scope, engineering designs, testing, weather and other developments.

Progress Energy maintains insurance for property damage and incremental costs of replacement power resulting from prolonged accidental outages through Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL). As of May 31, 2011, the company has spent approximately $214 million on the repair and $375 million on replacement power costs. NEIL has paid claims of $265 million during that period. Of the $265 million received, $103 million covered repair costs and $162 million covered replacement power. Progress Energy is insured for up to $2.25 billion per event for property damage and up to $490 million for replacement power.

Joint owner indemnification for replacement power costs

The company estimates it will record approximately $45 million in pretax expense in the second quarter for the indemnification obligation to the Crystal River Nuclear Plant joint owners for replacement power costs for 2012 and 2013. The joint owners’ indemnification agreement expires at the end of 2013. Nine parties own a total of approximately 8 percent of the nuclear plant.

Because this charge relates solely to future years, it will be excluded from the calculation of ongoing earnings. Therefore, this does not affect previously announced earnings guidance for the year.

About the Crystal River Nuclear Plant

The Crystal River Nuclear Plant is located near Crystal River, Fla., and is capable of generating 860 megawatts (MW) of power to help serve Progress Energy Florida’s 1.6 million customers. The plant went into service in March 1977. Its current license expires in 2016. The company filed for a license renewal with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 2008, requesting an additional 20 years of operation.

• Read the original news release