The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on 5 May approved a request by Duke Energy to increase the generating capacity of unit 1 at its Catawba NPP in South Carolina. The uprate is designed to increase generating capacity from approximately 1,167MWe to 1,187MWe. Duke Energy intends to implement the uprate this month. NRC found that Duke Energy could safely increase the reactor's output primarily through more accurate means of measuring feedwater flow. NRC's safety evaluation of the proposed power uprate focused on several areas, including the nuclear steam supply systems, instrumentation and controls, electrical systems, accident evaluations, radiological consequences, fire protection, operations and training, testing, and technical specification changes. NRC also conducted independent calculations and evaluations of selected areas. Unit 1 at Catawba began commercial operation in June 1985 and unit 2 in August 1986. Both are Westinghouse pressurised water reactors.
