Xcel Energy: Monticello Nuclear Plant Under Planned Outage

MONTICELLO - The Monticello Nuclear Plant has been shut down for refueling and maintenance.

Xcel Energy says the scheduled outage began on Saturday.

Workers are completing a major equipment upgrade to increase the plant's generating capacity, and ensure the safety and reliability of the operation.  The work will increase the unit's capacity to 671 megawatts.

About 2,000 contractors from across the country will work on the maintenance and construction over the next four to six weeks.