Duke Energy planning to extend operation of all its 11 reactors
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed the operating licence of utility Duke Energy’s Oconee nuclear power station in South Carolina for another 20 years.
This extension allows the facility’s three pressurised water reactor units to operate to 2053 and 2054.
The NRC said the licences now expire on 6 February 2053 for Unit 1; 6 October 2053 for Unit 2; and 19 July 2054 for Unit 3. According to International Atomic Energy Agency data, Unit 1 originally began commercial operation in 1973 and Units 2 and 3 in 1974.
According to Charlotte-based Duke Energy, the extension will allow it to provide cleaner energy while maintaining reliability and affordability amid growing regional electricity demand.
According to the NRC, with the renewal of the Oconee licences, 12 commercial nuclear power reactors have received subsequent renewed licences authorising operations from 60 to 80 years. Five applications for subsequent license renewal are under review.
Duke Energy aims to extend the life of all its nuclear units, with plans to submit a licence renewal application for the Robinson nuclear power station in South Carolina, in April.
The company operates 11 nuclear units at six sites in North Carolina and South Carolina. The six sites are Brunswick, McGuire, Catawba, Oconee, Harris and Robinson.
Duke Energy chief nuclear officer Kelvin Henderson said: “Approval to extend Oconee nuclear station’s licences is a significant milestone for Duke Energy and provides significant learnings to use in completing licence applications for our other plants.
“As we address growth, modernise the fleet and invest in cleaner technologies, subsequent licence renewal helps ensure nuclear energy continues to be a vital part of Duke Energy’s generation portfolio.”
At Oconee, the company has replaced critical components including reactor vessel heads, steam generators, turbines, transformers, pumps, and valves.
In 2023, Duke Energy said it was planning to build small modular reactors (SMRs) at a coal and natural-gas fired station in North Carolina and a second site still to be determined.
In a timeline the company said it plans to choose an SMR technology for the Belews Creek site between 2023 and 2025 and to apply for an early site permit from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in mid-2025.
The projected in-service date for the Belews Creek SMR would be the first quarter of 2034, with the SMR at the second site coming online in the first quarter of 2035.
