The Susquehanna nuclear power plant near Berwick has established a world performance record for plants of its design.

Both units have been operating safely since June 11, 1994. No boiling water reactor plant in the world has had two units run together for a longer period of time, explained Herbert D. Woodeshick, special assistant to the president for Pennsylvania Power & Light Co., operator of the Susquehanna plant.

"We plan to shut down Unit 1 early Saturday to begin a scheduled refueling outage," he said. "At that time, both units will have generated electricity safely for 286 consecutive days."

The former record for two-unit boiling water reactors was 251 days, set by a plant in Georgia in 1988-89.

"We're able to set records because of the great job done by the men and women who operate, maintain and support Susquehanna. They are committed to safety and reliability," Woodeshick said. "Significantly for customers, the outstanding performance of Susquehanna saved millions of dollars in energy costs during the world- record run. PP&L doesn't have to use costlier fuel sources as often and is able to sell more power from other plants to other utilities."

Since last June, Susquehanna generated 14.6 billion kilowatt- hours. That's enough electricity to meet the yearly demand of more than 1.3 million homes.

The plant is setting other records as well. Unit 1 has been in service for more than 420 days since its last refueling outage ended in January 1994. The current run has surpassed the existing record for PP&L power plants by more than 100 days.

Unit 2 has been in service since the end of its last refueling outage in June 1994, and is approaching its best-ever run of 314 consecutive days.

The Susquehanna plant, located in Luzerne County about five miles north of Berwick, is owned jointly by PP&L Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc.