Constellation has announced plans to invest approximately 100 million dollars to upgrade critical electrical systems and plant equipment at Calvert Cliffs Clean Energy Center in Lusby, Maryland. The improvements aim to ensure continued safe and reliable operations, support the potential renewal of the plant’s operating licenses, and enable a future increase in power output. The investment is part of Constellation’s larger initiative to help Maryland meet growing demand for clean energy while strengthening the state’s economy.
Calvert Cliffs is the largest provider of clean, around-the-clock energy in Maryland, supplying nearly 40 percent of the state’s total power generation and 80 percent of its clean energy production. Constellation President and CEO Joe Dominguez highlighted the importance of these investments, stating that maintaining and upgrading the facility is essential for long-term energy security. He added that the company is prepared to invest even more in the plant’s future if energy policies and customer demand continue to support clean and reliable power.
Work on the upgrades will begin later this month as part of the plant’s spring refueling outage, a planned maintenance period that allows necessary repairs and replacements to be completed while the facility is offline. This year’s outage schedule includes refurbishment and replacement of key plant components such as pumps, motors, valves, control rod systems, and a complete overhaul of the plant’s 13-kilovolt transformer. These upgrades will help maintain the facility’s ability to generate enough carbon-free electricity to power the equivalent of more than 1.3 million homes.
Beyond the plant upgrades, Constellation is also investing 68 million dollars in 24 advanced electrical breakers to modernize its substation and improve grid reliability. Preliminary analysis suggests that additional improvements at Calvert Cliffs could increase electricity production by roughly 10 percent, generating more carbon-free energy than all existing wind and utility-scale solar operations in Maryland combined.
The economic benefits of these upgrades will extend beyond the energy sector. The refueling outage will bring more than 2,000 skilled trade workers to Calvert Cliffs, including electricians, pipefitters, welders, carpenters, and steamfitters. Their work will not only support essential maintenance efforts at the plant but also boost business activity in local hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and retail stores.
Business leaders and labor organizations have expressed strong support for Constellation’s continued investment in Southern Maryland. Kathryn Maney, president and CEO of the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the economic significance of the refueling outage, stating that the influx of jobs and increased revenue will benefit businesses throughout the region. She also noted that these infrastructure improvements will enhance grid reliability, providing affordable and sustainable power for Maryland residents.
Greg Akerman, president of the Baltimore-D.C. Metro Building Trades, echoed these sentiments, praising Constellation’s commitment to investing in skilled labor and the future of clean energy. He said that Calvert Cliffs has provided stable jobs for decades and that the upgrades will help ensure long-term employment opportunities for Maryland’s workforce.
Located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, Calvert Cliffs is Maryland’s only nuclear energy facility and a major contributor to the state’s economy. The plant generates 1,756 megawatts of electricity and contributes 23 million dollars annually in property taxes while employing more than 800 full-time workers. With ongoing investments in infrastructure, Calvert Cliffs is positioned to remain a cornerstone of Maryland’s clean energy future for decades to come.
