The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved a subsequent operating licence renewal for the 1.8 GW Edwin I. Hatch nuclear plant in Georgia, extending the operating terms of its two reactors by 20 years (Georgia Power announcement, 15/06/2026).
Extending operations beyond their scheduled 2030s expiration, the approval authorises Unit 1 to run through 2054 and Unit 2 through 2058, allowing each reactor to operate for up to 80 years. Unit 1 originally entered service in 1975, and Unit 2 followed in 1979. Operated by Southern Nuclear, the facility is co-owned by Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, and Dalton Utilities.
The facility provides nearly 40% of Georgia Power's nuclear energy, helping to meet the state's growing electricity demand. Combined with the company’s larger 4.7 GW Vogtle nuclear plant, the two facilities produced 30% of the company’s total energy in 2025.
The US’ nuclear capacity was at 104 GW in 2025, representing 7% of total installed capacity in the country (Enerdata’s Global Energy Research).
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