North Raleigh Today

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted a 20-year extension for the operating licenses of Duke Energy's Oconee Nuclear Station. Located in Seneca, South Carolina, Oconee will now remain operational until 2053 and 2054. The renewal supports Duke Energy's strategy to provide reliable and affordable energy in response to growing regional demand.

Governor Henry McMaster highlighted the importance of affordable and reliable energy for South Carolina's economy, asserting that nuclear power will play a key role in the state's energy future. "The approval to extend Oconee Nuclear Station's operations for another 20 years is a critical step in ensuring South Carolina's energy generation keeps pace with our rapid development," he said.

Oconee is the first of Duke Energy’s nuclear facilities to achieve an 80-year operational milestone. Duke Energy plans to submit a license renewal application for the Robinson Nuclear Plant in Hartsville next month, with an ongoing focus on safe and reliable operations across its nuclear facilities.

Duke Energy has invested in significant maintenance and upgrades at Oconee to ensure its continued operation, including enhancements to reactor vessel heads, steam generators, and other key components. In 2024, these efforts included upgrading power efficiency, which added a combined 45 megawatts across all three units.

"Nuclear energy has safely and reliably provided electricity to Duke Energy’s Carolinas customers for more than 50 years," the company stated. By 2024, its plants supplied more than half of the electricity for the Carolinas' customers, with 96% of this being clean energy.

Duke Energy's nuclear sites contribute to customer cost savings due to low operating expenses, generating significant economic benefits for local communities and securing thousands of jobs. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham praised the renewal, stating, "The Oconee nuclear plant is well run, safe and efficient, and it has been an invaluable employer to Upstate South Carolina."

With this extension, Duke Energy continues its efforts in energy transition, emphasizing nuclear energy as a critical component of its portfolio. Chief Nuclear Officer Kelvin Henderson stated, "Approval to extend Oconee Nuclear Station’s licenses is a significant milestone for Duke Energy and provides significant learnings to use in completing license applications for our other plants."

The NRC requires a detailed analysis and evaluation for license renewals, which allows for up to 20 additional years of operation. All Duke Energy nuclear plants previously received initial renewals to operate for up to 60 years, with subsequent renewals permitting up to 80 years.

Oconee’s initial license was held from 1973/1974 to 2013/2014, followed by a renewal extending to 2033/2034. The latest renewal continues its operation to 2053/2054.

Duke Energy, a major energy company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, serves millions of customers across multiple states. The company's energy transition strategy focuses on customer reliability and value, investing in grid upgrades and various cleaner energy sources.

For more information, Duke Energy encourages visits to its website and news center for updates and resources on its nuclear operations.