NRC approves 1.6% power uprate for Duke’s three-unit Oconee plant

摘要

NRC has approved a power uprate for Duke Energy Carolinas’ three Oconee units in South Carolina that will increase their thermal capacity by 1.6%, the agency said in a statement Feb. 3. The uprate will increase Oconee-1's generating capacity from about 909 MW to 923 MW, NRC said. Oconee-2's capacity will increase from about 919 MW to 933 MW, and Oconee-3's from about 922 MW to 936 MW, the agency said. "Duke Energy intends to implement each reactor’s power uprate in a phased approach, based on refueling schedules," NRC said. Oconee-1's most recent refueling outage was completed in November, and Oconee-3 last refueled in May. Oconee-2 last refueled in November 2019. While no specific dates are available for the next outages for the units, all three are on 24-month operating cycles. NRC said that agency staff had "determined that Duke Energy could safely increase all three reactors’ heat output, primarily through more accurate means of measuring feedwater flow."