Nuclear: Present And Future
Throughout 2014, Duke Energy’s nuclear fleet consistently delivered clean, safe, reliable energy to customers – whether during record heat or arctic cold. The nuclear fleet set a net generation record in 2014 with its 11 operating units producing 87,031,325 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity, compared to the previous record in 2009 of 86,128,459 MWh.
Operating at six sites in the Carolinas, our
11 reactors set a combined capacity factor
of 93.18 percent in 2014. This marked the 16th straight year the fleet achieved a capacity factor greater than 90 percent. This high rate of availability keeps a steady supply of power flowing to serve customers.
The three units at Oconee Nuclear Station collectively set an all-time capacity factor record during the year at 94.73 percent. Catawba Nuclear Station Unit 1 and McGuire Nuclear Station Unit 2 completed continuous-day operating runs of 493 and 474 days, respectively.
To meet future electricity demands, Duke Energy continues to pursue combined construction and operating licenses (COLs) from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the Lee Nuclear Station in Cherokee County, South Carolina
and a plant in Levy County, Florida.
