The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed the operating license of Duke Energy’s Oconee Nuclear Station, located in Seneca, South Carolina, for another 20 years.
This extension allows the plant to operate through 2053 and 2054.
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According to Duke Energy, this extension allows it to provide cleaner energy while maintaining reliability and affordability amid growing regional electricity demand.
Oconee is the first of the company’s nuclear facilities to achieve this milestone, enabling it to operate for a total of 80 years.
The company aims to extend the life of all its nuclear units, with plans to submit a license renewal application for the Robinson Nuclear Plant in Hartsville, South Carolina, in April.
Duke Energy chief nuclear officer Kelvin Henderson said: “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.
“As we address growth, modernise the fleet and invest in cleaner technologies, subsequent license renewal helps ensure nuclear energy continues to be a vital part of Duke Energy’s generation portfolio.”
At the Oconee facility, the company has replaced critical components, including reactor vessel heads, steam generators, turbines, transformers, pumps, and valves, to ensure long-term functionality.
In 2024, Oconee added a total of 45MW through power uprate improvement projects across its three units.
Duke Energy’s six nuclear plants provided over 50% of electricity to Carolina’s customers and more than 96% of the company’s clean energy in 2024.
Last month, Duke Energy Florida filed plans for four new solar energy sites, adding 300MW to the electric grid.
The company submitted its 2025 Solar Base Rate Adjustment to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC).
After securing approval for a settlement from the PSC in August 2024, Duke Energy Florida committed $521m to develop solar facilities across four counties.
These include the Sundance renewable energy centre in Madison County, the Half Moon renewable energy centre in Sumter County, the Rattler renewable energy centre in Hernando County, and the Bailey Mill renewable energy centre in Jefferson County.
