BRATTLEBORO — The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant had to reduce power Tuesday because of problems with its condenser, a spokesman for Entergy Nuclear said.
Larry Smith said that by afternoon the problem had been addressed, and the plant was back up to 70 percent power, and rising. The plant had reduced power to 54 percent, Smith said.
Neil Sheehan, a spokesman with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said Entergy was “troubleshooting” issues with the vacuum on the main condenser.
The condenser, which is slated to be replaced in the next couple of years, cools down and condenses steam after it has passed through Yankee’s turbine. It needs a vacuum to maximize efficiency, Sheehan said.
“Those issues have been resolved and operators are currently in the process of bringing the reactor up in power,” Sheehan said in an email.
Smith said air was getting into the condenser, and that Entergy was still trying to determine what caused the problem.
It is the second time in recent months that Yankee has had to reduce power because of problems with the condenser.
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