The Tennessee Valley Authority completed a crucial phase of testing this week at the Watts Bar 2 reactor it plans to bring online next year.
Workers completed cold hydro-static pressure testing on Tuesday, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported. The testing confirmed there are no leaks or other construction defects in the reactor coolant system and related plant systems. Additionally, the project's manager told regulators that the unit is still on track for fuel loading in May.
TVA began work on the 1,150 megawatt Westinghouse pressurized water reactor in 1973 but suspended the project 80 percent complete in 1985. Work resumed on unit 2 in 2008, and nearly 3,000 people are currently working at the site near Spring City, Tenn.