Spot power prices in some key western regions fell by more than 20%, according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) July 5 data update.
Southern California, Northern California and the Southwest all saw their spot power prices fall by at least 20%. The regions have been sweltering during a summer heat wave. The Northwest, meanwhile, actually saw its spot power price increase more than 6% to $54.50/MWh, according to EIA.
Meanwhile back East, Entergy (NYSE:ETR) has returned its Indian Point Unit 2 to service. Entergy returned the nuclear unit in Buchanan, N.Y., to service before 10 a.m. July 4.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) listed Indian Point 2 at 62% generation early July 5.
The unit was offline for a few days to enable workers to make repairs to a system that controls the flow of water through two main boiler feed pumps. Boiler feed pumps are located on the non-nuclear side of the plant and feed water into the plant’s steam.
Indian Point Energy Center, in Buchanan, N.Y., is home to two operating nuclear power plants, unit 2 and unit 3, which generate approximately 2,000 MW. Both Entergy nuclear units are pressurized water reactors (PWRs).
The state of New York has been reviewing new electric generation and transmission proposals in the event that Entergy does not win a 20-year license renewal from NRC for the two Indian Point units.
