US power utility PSEG Nuclear has notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that it intends to seek subsequent 20-year licence renewals for three nuclear power units at the Salem and Hope Creek stations in the state of New Jersey.

The renewals will be for Salem-1, Salem-2 and Hope Creek-1 and would see all three plants potentially operate for 80 years.

The two stations are next to each other on a site about 220 km southwest of New York.

PSEG Nuclear said the three units collectively produce nearly half of New Jersey’s electricity and 85% of the state’s carbon-free generation.