U.S. regulator extends operating licenses by 20 years for three more nuclear units

The U.S. nuclear regulator has granted 20-year extensions to the operating licenses of three nuclear units in the state of Illinois. The single-unit Clinton Nuclear Generating Station has been cleared to operate for 60 years, through 2047. The two units at the Dresden plant can now generate electricity for up to 80 years (until mid-century). The operator will invest at least $370 million (roughly CZK 7.6 billion) in extending operations and preserve more than 2,000 jobs.

U.S. energy company Constellation announced that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) had extended the operating licenses of three of its nuclear units in Illinois. All U.S. nuclear power plants initially received 40-year operating licenses. The regulator can renew them twice, each time for 20 years. Constellation received the first license renewal for the sole unit at the Clinton plant and second renewals for the two units at Dresden.

“Reliable, emissions-free energy is the foundation of economic progress, and the Dresden Clean Energy Center plays a vital role in keeping our communities and businesses moving forward. As new industries look to invest and grow in Grundy County, the continued operation of the Dresden plant will ensure our region remains competitive, resilient and ready for the future,”said Nancy Norton, president and CEO of Grundy County Economic Development.

The single-unit Clinton Nuclear Generating Station, which has a boiling water reactor with a net capacity of 1,065 MW, began generating electricity in 1987. With the license extension, it can continue generating electricity through 2047. Meta plans to purchase electricity from Clinton; it signed an agreement this June to secure clean power for its artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.

The two operating units at Dresden, also equipped with boiling water reactors, have received their second license extensions and can now operate for up to 80 years. The units, with capacities of 894 MW and 879 MW, entered service in 1970 and 1971, respectively, and their licenses will now expire in 2049 and 2051.

Investment in continued operation

Constellation says that extending operations will require further investment in the technology. It will spend $370 million (roughly CZK 7.6 billion) to ensure the plants’ safety and reliability and improve their efficiency.

At the Clinton plant, two new auxiliary transformers, together with an advanced cooling system, are improving reliability. The company expects efficiency gains to increase the plant’s installed capacity by just under 30 MW (gross). Dresden, for example, now uses new technology to control feedwater levels.

“Over the past decade, we have invested more than $3 billion in our nuclear facilities in Illinois so we can supply the economy with clean, reliable energy,” said Bryan Hanson, Constellation’s executive vice president and chief generation officer.

Constellation operates a total of 26 nuclear units across six U.S. states. Extending operations at the three units will help preserve 2,200 jobs and generate $8.1 billion (nearly CZK 167 billion) in tax revenue.