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25 March 2008 -- Progress Energy has filed with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a Combined Construction and Operating License for two new nuclear power reactors at its existing Harris nuclear site. The company wants to build two Westinghouse AP1000 units with a combined generating capacity of 1,100 MWe.
The Harris site hosts one power reactor already, but was originally planned to have four. Upon submission, the NRC would begin the process of reviewing the application, referring to its existing design certification for the AP1000 design. This process would be expected to take about 36 months. Progress said that any decision to build is "still more than a year away," and that it was taking steps now to keep the option for nuclear available in the future. The first of any new reactors would only be operational in about 2018.
In May 2007 Progress decided to put development of more nuclear power in North Carolina on hold, instead concentrating on a $50 million energy efficiency drive, saying "reductions in future electricity demand growth through energy efficiency could push the need for new power plants farther into the future." At that time, the company advised the NRC that today's COL application would be put back from the original scheduled window in late 2007.
Progress has doubled its efficiency goals since the May 2007 announcement to a saving of 2,000 MWe. However, it now asserts that nuclear power is "critical to controlling climate change." CEO Bill Johnson told editors of The News & Observer: "We need to prepare for ten, 20, 30 years out. The best option right now is advanced nuclear."
Progress Energy could also build new nuclear power plants in Florida, according to plans under development. A site in Levy County, 13 km north of the existing Crystal River power plant, could also play host to two AP1000s.
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