Duke Energy Extends Robinson Nuclear Plant to 2050 Amid AI-Driven Power Surge
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Key Takeaways
- The 20-year license extension allows the Robinson Nuclear Plant to operate until 2050.
- The facility provides baseload power to approximately 570,000 homes in South Carolina.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) said the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a 20-year license renewal for its Robinson Nuclear Plant in South Carolina, allowing the facility to operate through 2050 and reinforcing the role of existing nuclear assets in meeting rising power demand.
The 759-megawatt plant, located in Hartsville, supplies electricity to roughly 570,000 homes and is one of the oldest commercial nuclear facilities in the Southeast. Originally licensed in 1970, Robinson had previously received a 20-year extension to 2030. The latest approval marks a “subsequent license renewal,” a process that allows reactors to operate up to 80 years, subject to federal safety reviews.
The decision comes as utilities increasingly lean on nuclear power to provide stable, around-the-clock electricity amid surging demand from data centers, electrification and industrial load growth.
Duke Energy said its nuclear fleet supplies about 51% of electricity in the Carolinas, underscoring its importance to grid reliability and long-term cost stability. The Robinson plant alone supports nearly 500 jobs and contributes about $28 million annually in local taxes, following roughly $1.7 billion in equipment upgrades over its lifetime.
