Another US nuclear plant receives an 80-year operating license

Although construction of new nuclear units is stagnating in many regions of the world, existing sources can also help ensure future capacity. One option is to extend the operating lives of units that have already been built and were originally licensed to operate for 40 years. One such source is the Oconee nuclear power plant in the US, which recently received a license to operate for 80 years. The US regulator is also reviewing similar applications for other plants.

The US nuclear regulator (NRC) has approved, according to World Nuclear News, Duke Energy’s application to extend the license for the Oconee nuclear power plant. The plant, with an installed capacity of more than 2500 MW, consists of three pressurized water reactor units. Units 1 and 2 began operating in 1973, followed by Unit 3 a year later. The units, originally licensed to operate for 40 years, had previously received a 20-year license extension.

The US nuclear regulator said the review of the application to operate for 80 years took place in two parallel processes. The safety evaluation report was available as early as December 2022, and the final environmental review was completed this February.

“The NRC’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board concluded its adjudicatory proceeding on the application in January 2025 and found that there were no remaining contested issues to resolve. An appeal of the board’s decision was filed with the commission. NRC regulations allow a license to be issued while appeal proceedings are ongoing. The commission retains the option to act on the appeal and, if necessary, order further steps related to the licenses,” the US nuclear regulator said, according to the website.

Units 1 and 2 are now cleared to operate through 2053, and Unit 3 through 2054. Duke Energy operates six nuclear power plants with a total of 11 units in two US states. All of the company’s nuclear plants have received licenses to operate for 60 years, and the operator is working to extend the licenses for all units to 80 years. In April, the company plans to submit an application for the Robinson nuclear power plant.

To date, a total of 12 nuclear units in the US have received approval to operate for 80 years. The US nuclear regulator is reviewing five more applications.