STP earns safety honors in national, world arenas

The South Texas Project's Unit 1 nuclear reactor safely led the nation - and all 442 reactors worldwide - in electric generation in 2007. In addition, STP's Unit 2 had the third highest production nationally and ranked number 14 globally despite a refueling and maintenance outage last year.

"Outstanding performance by STP employees and the careful planning and leadership by plant management continue to keep STP at the top of the industry. Thanks to them, our plant is a global leader in safely producing clean, efficient electric power," Site Vice President Ed Halpin said. "Dedication and teamwork keep STP safe and reliable year after year."

STP's two units produced more energy than the 32 other 2-unit plants in the country in 2007, for the fourth consecutive year. The plant's total annual generation of 23.2 million megawatt-hours also bested two of the three 3-unit plants in the nation, and set a new station record. Unit 1, with 12.36 million megawatt-hours of generation, out-produced 10 bigger reactors worldwide - several up to 150 megawatts larger - by operating continuously throughout 2007.

In addition to setting these generation records, STP had the lowest production cost in 2007 among nuclear power plants nationwide, excluding those using subsidized fuel. The STP team also set a new world record last year in outage performance for replacing three low pressure turbines and a main generator rotor.

The equipment replacement effort was recognized by Power Engineering magazine with a Project of the Year award for "Best Nuclear Project" worldwide.

STP supplies approximately 7.5 percent of the electricity used in Texas. The plant is managed by the STP Nuclear Operating Company and owned by Austin Energy, CPS Energy and NRG Texas. STP's twin reactors produce 2,700 megawatts of electricity, enough for approximately two million homes.