The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted a second license renewal for Point Beach Units 1 and 2 (each 600 MW), authorising up to 80 years of operation for the two pressurised water reactors, located in Wisconsin (United States).
Unit 1 began commercial operation in 1970, followed by Unit 2 in 1973. Originally licensed for 40 years, both reactors received their first license renewal in 2005, extending operation to May 2030 for Unit 1 and August 2033 for Unit 2. The plant’s operator, US-based NextEra Energy, submitted a subsequent license renewal application in November 2020, seeking approval to extend operations from 60 to 80 years.
Following a comprehensive review, including a final supplemental environmental impact statement and an update to its May 2022 safety evaluation, the NRC approved the renewal in August 2025. The new licenses extend Unit 1’s operation until October 2050, and Unit 2’s until March 2053.