How much more can nuclear power plants give?

Nuclear power plants in the US are being upgraded to produce more electricity, a process called a power uprate.

This involves increasing the reactor’s power output, often by 20% or less, through equipment upgrades and changes to fuel usage.

For example, the Browns Ferry plant in Alabama increased its capacity by 14% between 2018 and 2019 with a $475 million investment.

Upgrades may include replacing turbines, pumps, or using more highly enriched fuel to generate additional steam, which drives electricity production.

While some uprates are minor, involving only adjustments to instruments, major overhauls require significant investment and labor.

Between 2001 and 2010, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved over 80 uprates, but this slowed to 33 between 2011 and 2020 due to low electricity demand and competition from cheap natural gas.