Ever wondered where New Orleans gets some of its power? It comes partly from the Waterford 1 & 2 Power Plant. This station operates in Killona Louisiana. It is about 25 miles west of New Orleans.
Waterford 1 & 2 Power Plant has a rich history. Both units started operations in 1975. Each unit has a capacity of 446 MW. They use steam turbines. The plant is owned and operated by Entergy Louisiana LLC.
One unit at Waterford 1 & 2 Power Plant retired in 2024. The other unit plans to retire in 2025. The power station uses fossil gas and fossil liquids as fuel. This includes natural gas and fuel oil.
The Waterford Nuclear Generating Station is nearby. It is also in Killona. This plant has a pressurized water reactor. Its output capacity is 1152 MW. The operating license was issued in 1985. It is also owned and operated by Entergy Louisiana Inc.
In 2021, Waterford declared an unusual event. This happened after Hurricane Ida. The facility lost offsite electrical power. An unusual event is the lowest level of emergency.
Waterford’s nuclear reactor has a dry ambient pressure containment building. It shut down briefly during the 2011 Mississippi River floods. It also shut down in 2012 for steam generator replacement.
The Waterford Nuclear Generating Station produces a lot of electricity. In 2021 its annual net output was 9806 GWh. The plant is on a large plot. It covers 3000 acres.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has safety zones. A plume exposure pathway zone extends 10 miles. An ingestion pathway zone extends 50 miles. New Orleans is within this zone.
The Waterford 1 & 2 Power Plant and the Waterford Nuclear Generating Station supply power. They play a vital role for the region. They have faced challenges from hurricanes and floods. Yet they continue to operate. They provide power to homes and businesses. The Waterford plants remain a key part of Louisiana’s energy infrastructure.