The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a request by Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) to increase the generating capacity of units 1&2 of North Anna nuclear power plant by 1.6%.
The NRC staff determined that VEPCO could safely increase the output of the reactors, primarily through more accurate means of measuring feedwater flow. NRC staff also reviewed VEPCO’s evaluations showing the plant’s design can handle the increased power level.
The NRC's safety evaluation of the plant’s proposed power uprate focused on several areas, including the nuclear steam supply systems, instrumentation and control systems, electrical systems, accident evaluations, radiological consequences, fire protection, operations and training, testing, and technical specification changes. NRC staff also conducted independent calculations and evaluations of selected areas.
The power uprate for North Anna, located approximately 40 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia, will increase unit 1’s generating capacity from approximately 965 to 980MWe and unit 2’s generating capacity from approximately 965 to 973MWe. VEPCO intends to implement the uprate in July 2010.
