Duke Energy plans to operate two nuclear power plants in South Carolina for another 20 years
Posted: Jun 27, 2021 / 11:14 am EDTUpdated: 6/27/2021 / 11:14 AM EDT
Duke Energy (file photo)
SENECA, SC (AP) – The utility that operates two nuclear reactors in northwest South Carolina is asking the federal government to allow them to continue producing electricity for at least 30 years.
Duke Energy filed an application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission earlier this month to extend the licenses to operate its reactors at the Oconee Nuclear Power Plant near Seneca for an additional 20 years.
The license for one reactor would then run until 2053 and the other until 2054, the Greenville News reported.
The expansions are part of Duke Energy’s plans to extend license extensions for its five reactors at three South Carolina locations by 20 years, utility spokeswoman Rita Sipe said.
The utility also owns the Robinson Nuclear Power Plant in Hartsville and is joint owner of the Catawba Nuclear Power Plant near Rock Hill.
The license renewal process will take at least 18 months and include public comment periods, officials said.
Older nuclear power plants are a good choice for license renewals because their construction costs have already been paid off and the technology and materials used in the power plants and reactors have not changed dramatically, said Travis Knight, professor at the University of South Carolina and Director of the Nuclear Power Plant Engineering Program.
Regulators will review physical components like the concrete in the structures to make sure they are still strong, functional and safe, Knight said.
In addition, the technology for renewable energy sources is not yet available to match the amount of electricity produced by a nuclear power plant, Knight said.
Only two states generate more nuclear power than South Carolina, which allows the state’s utilities to sell the excess electricity.
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