ML21209A497

News Release-21-007: NRC Approves Power Uprate for Oconee Nuclear Station, Units 1, 2, and 3

ML21209A497
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Site:	Oconee
Issue date:	02/03/2021
From:	Office of Public Affairs
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News Release-21-007
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No: 21-007 February 3, 2021 CONTACT: Scott Burnell, 301-415-8200 NRC Approves Power Uprate for Oconee Nuclear Station, Units 1, 2, and 3 The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a request by Duke Energy Carolinas LLC to increase by approximately 1.6 percent the reactor capacity of Oconee Nuclear Station Units 1, 2, and 3.

The NRC staff determined that Duke Energy could safely increase all three reactors heat output, primarily through more accurate means of measuring feedwater flow.

The power uprate for Oconee, located approximately 30 miles west of Greenville, S.C., will increase Unit 1s generating capacity from approximately 909 to 923 megawatts electric, Unit 2s generating capacity from approximately 919 to 933 MWe, and Unit 3s generating capacity from approximately 922 to 936 MWe. Duke Energy intends to implement each reactors power uprate in a phased approach, based on refueling schedules.

The NRC's safety evaluation of the plants proposed power uprate focused on several areas, including the nuclear steam supply systems, instrumentation and control systems, electrical systems, accident evaluations, radiological consequences, fire protection, operations and training, testing, and technical specification changes.

The NRC published a Federal Register notice regarding the Oconee power uprate application in June 2020 providing the public an opportunity to comment or request a hearing. The agencys safety evaluation of the Oconee power uprate is available through the NRCs ADAMS electronic document database.