The American utility Dominion Energy has notified the United States (US) Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of its intent to extend the operating license of the North Anna Power Station in Louisa County, Virginia (United States) for an additional 20-year term. The North Anna facility consists of two pressurized water reactors (PWRs) with a combined installed capacity of 1,892 MW. North Anna-1 entered commercial service in 1978 while North Anna-2 began commercial operations in 1980.
Besides, the company intends to file a similar application to renew the operating license of the Surry nuclear power units in the Surry County of Virginia in 2019. The two Surry units came onstream in 1972 and 1973 and have a combined capacity of 1,676 MW. Like most US nuclear units, the North Anna and Surry units were originally licensed to operate for 40 years. They were renewed for 20 additional years of operation in March 2003.
The North Anna current licenses are set to expire in 2038 and 2040. Once renewed, the two units would be able to operate respectively until 2058 and 2060. In the meantime, the Surry units' licenses will expire in 2032 and 2033. After renewal, their respective licenses could allow them to operate respectively until 2052 and 2053.