19 Jun (NucNet): The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved a request by Florida Power and Light (FPL) to increase the thermal power generating capacity at the two-unit Turkey Point nuclear power plant near Miami by 15 percent.
In a statement the NRC said the net electrical power generating capacity of Turkey Point-3 and -4 will increase from approximately 700 to 823 megawatts each. This corresponds to about 18.7 percent higher capacity.
NRC’s safety evaluation of the units focused on several areas, including the nuclear steam supply systems, instrumentation and control systems, electrical systems and accident evaluations.
The NRC analysis concluded that FPL could safely increase the reactors’ power output primarily by carrying out “significant upgrades to several plant systems and components” including the feedwater pumps and the high-pressure turbine.
According to the NRC, FPL expects to implement the uprate during the spring 2012 refuelling outage for Unit 3 and during the autumn 2012 outage for Unit 4.
In 2007, FLP announced plans to construct two new units at Turkey Point and in 2008 the Florida Public Service Commission approved the plans.
