Entergy Corp said on Wednesday it has begun the process of ramping up power at its 1,152-megawatt Waterford 3 nuclear reactor in Louisiana after it was shut in preparation for Hurricane Ida.

"Entergy Nuclear has since restored offsite power and completed all necessary internal readiness reviews, and has received recommendations and approvals from U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to restart the plant. A safe, deliberate power ascension has begun," company spokesperson Mike Bowling said in a statement.

Entergy did not specify when the plant would return to 100% power.

Entergy also said both its nuclear power plants in Louisiana - Waterford 3 and River Bend - sustained damage to outlying structures on the site due to Ida.

While offsite power to the Waterford 3 nuclear station was restored on Aug. 31, the River Bend plant operated throughout the event, the company said in a statement.

Damage at River Bend was very minor, Bowling said.

The Waterford 3 plant was shut on Aug. 29 after Hurricane Ida knocked out transmission lines.

Ida tore through the Gulf of Mexico late last month, knocking out about 80% of the region's offshore oil and gas production. Restarts have been slowed due to damages to offshore oil and gas transfer facilities and onshore resupply operations.