The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved an application by Dominion Energy Virginia for a 20-year extension to the operating licences of the twin-unit Surry nuclear power plant, allowing the two pressurised water reactors to operate for 80 years until 2052 and 2053 respectively.
Surry-1 began commercial operation in 1972 and Surry-2 in 1973 and were originally licensed to operate for 40 years. The units’ licences were renewed for 20 additional years of operation in March 2003.
The NRC has now determined that both plants can operate for an additional 20 years beyond the 60 years covered by the initial and renewed licences.
Dominion submitted the subsequent licence renewal applications in October 2018.
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