The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved Exelon's request to increase the generating capacity of Units 2&3 of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station by 12.4%.

The NRC staff determined Exelon could safely increase the output of each 1140 MW boiling water reactor by around 140 MW by upgrading certain plant systems and components.

The regulator's safety evaluation focused on several key areas, including the nuclear steam supply systems, instrumentation and control systems, electrical systems, accident evaluations, radiological consequences, operations and training, testing, and technical specification changes.

The uprate at the Unit 2 is expected to be implemented during a refueling outage this autumn. The Unit 3 uprate is planned for autumn 2015, according to NRC.

The Peach Bottom station located near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, comprises two GE type-4 boiling water reactors. Units 2&3 started operation in 1973/74 and are licensed to operate until 2033/34, respectively.

Photo: Peach Bottom (Source: Exelon)