• Nuclear Regulatory Commission extends North Anna’s operating license until 2060, ensuring decades of reliable, carbon-free energy

RICHMOND, Virginia., 28 August 2024 /PRNewswire/ – The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) today approved Dominion Energy Virginia’s request to extend the operating license for its North Anna Power Plant for an additional 20 years.

The plant operates two nuclear reactors in Louisa County, Virginia, and generates enough carbon-free electricity to power 500,000 homes. Surry Power Plant received approval from the NRC in 2021 to extend its operating license until 2053. Together, Surry and North Anna generate 40 percent of the Virginia’s Electricity and account for about 90 percent of Virginia’s carbon-free electricity.

“For more than 50 years, nuclear power has been the most reliable workhorse of our fleet and the largest source of carbon-free energy in Virginia,” said Eric CarrChief Nuclear Officer of Dominion Energy. “North Anna operates 24/7, reliably generating clean energy that powers our customers’ homes and businesses every day. With this 20-year extension, our customers can continue to count on North Anna for reliable, carbon-free energy for the next generation.”

To ensure the longevity of North Anna, Dominion Energy is conducting numerous upgrades at the plant, including replacing the reactors’ main generators and capacitors, overhauling the reactor coolant pumps, and converting the instrumentation and control systems from analog to digital. The company is also conducting 80 improvements to the plant’s operations, such as additional inspections and equipment testing.

The North Anna plants were originally licensed to operate for 40 years (1978 and 1980). Their licenses were renewed for an additional 20 years in 2003 after a rigorous federal review process. The current licenses would have allowed North Anna reactors 1 and 2 to operate until 2038 and 2040, respectively. The extended licenses allow the plants to operate until 2058 and 2060, respectively.

The thorough federal review process ensures that the plants will continue to operate safely and reliably. Dominion Energy plans to recoup the costs associated with the license renewal from the Virginia State Corporation Commission later this year.

The North Anna nuclear power plants are Westinghouse three-loop pressurized water reactors. They can produce nearly 2,000 megawatts at peak power, or about 17 percent of the electricity supplied to Dominion Energy customers in Virginia.

Dominion Energy’s affiliates also plan to seek NRC approval to extend VC’s operating licenses to 80 years. Summer power plant In South Carolina and Millstone Power Station in Connecticut.

About Dominion Energy

More than 4.5 million customers in 13 states power their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Richmond, Virginia-based Dominion Energy (NYSE: D). The company is committed to providing reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy every day and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. For more information, visit DominionEnergy.com.

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