The NRC staff determined that Southern Nuclear could safely increase both reactors’ heat output, primarily through more accurate means of measuring feedwater flow.
Southern Nuclear is also improving some plant systems not regulated by the NRC to more efficiently convert the increased reactor output to electricity.
The power uprate for Farley will increase Unit 1’s generating capacity from approximately 910 to 944 MW and Unit 2’s generating capacity from approximately 910 to 953 MW, the NRC said.
Southern Nuclear intends to implement Unit 1’s uprate within 180 days of completing the unit’s spring 2021 refuelling outage and Unit 2’s uprate within 180 days of completing that unit’s autumn outage this year.
Farley-1 began commercial operation in December 1977 and Farley-2 in July 1981.