- Nuclear Regulatory Commission extends North Anna's operating
license through 2060, ensuring reliable, carbon-free power for
decades
RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 28,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) today approved Dominion Energy Virginia's
application to extend North Anna Power Station's operating licenses
for an additional 20 years.
The power station operates two nuclear reactors in Louisa
County, Va., and generates enough carbon-free electricity to power
500,000 homes. Dominion Energy's Surry
Power Station previously received NRC approval in 2021 to
extend its operating license through 2053.
Combined, Surry and North Anna generate 40 percent of
Virginia's electricity and account
for about 90 percent of the carbon-free power in Virginia.
"For more than 50 years, nuclear power has been the most
reliable workhorse of our fleet and the largest source of
carbon-free power in Virginia,"
said Eric Carr, Dominion Energy's
Chief Nuclear Officer. "North Anna operates around the clock, and
generates the reliable, clean energy that powers our customers'
homes and businesses every day. With this 20-year extension, our
customers can continue counting on North Anna for reliable,
carbon-free power for another generation to come."
To ensure North Anna's longevity, Dominion Energy is conducting
numerous upgrades at the station, including replacing the reactors'
main generators and condensers, refurbishing reactor coolant pumps
and converting instrument and control systems from analog to
digital. The company is also implementing 80 enhancements to
station procedures, such as additional inspections and equipment
testing.
The North Anna units were originally licensed to
operate for 40 years in 1978 and 1980. Their licenses were renewed
for an additional 20 years in 2003, following a stringent federal
review process. Under its current licenses, North Anna reactors 1
and 2 could have operated through 2038 and 2040, respectively. With
the renewed licenses, the units can operate through 2058 and 2060,
respectively.
The thorough federal review process ensures that the facilities
will continue operating in a safe and reliable manner. Dominion
Energy plans to seek recovery of the costs associated with the
license extension from the Virginia State Corporation Commission
later this year.
The nuclear units at North Anna Power Station are both
three-loop Westinghouse pressurized water reactors – capable of
providing nearly 2,000 megawatts at peak capacity, or about 17
percent of the electricity delivered to Dominion Energy Virginia
customers.
Dominion Energy's affiliated companies also plan to seek NRC
approval to extend to 80 years the operating licenses of V.C.
Summer Power Station in South Carolina and Millstone Power Station in
Connecticut.
About Dominion Energy
More than 4.5 million customers in 13 states energize their
homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion
Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The
company is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and
increasingly clean energy every day and to achieving Net Zero
emissions by 2050. Please
visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more.
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SOURCE Dominion Energy