Richmond’s Dominion Energy Inc. (NYSE: D) has received a 20-year extension on its operating licenses for its two nuclear reactors at the North Anna Power Station in Louisa County — setting the stage for numerous upgrades to the facility.
Dominion said the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Wednesday extended the licenses on the facility’s two reactors through 2058 and 2060, respectively.
With the extensions in hand, Dominion said it intends to make “numerous upgrades” to the station, including replacing the reactors’ main generators and condensers, refurbishing the reactor coolant pumps and updating the instrument and control systems to digital. Dominion also said it plans to begin implementing 80 enhancements to station procedures, including more inspections and equipment testing.
The utility company said it plans to seek to recover the costs associated with the license-extension process from the Virginia State Corporation Commission later this year.
The North Anna Power Station is the newer of the two nuclear generating stations operating in Virginia. Surry Power Station, a fellow Dominion facility, came online in 1972. North Anna went into commission in 1978. Both facilities are of similar appearance and are considered sister plants. Surry received approval in 2021 to extend its licenses through 2053.
Combined, the North Anna and Surry stations generate about 40% of Virginia's electricity and account for about 90% of the carbon-free power in Virginia, Dominion said.
