Duke Energy recently announced that its 11 nuclear generating units in North and South Carolina achieved industry performance records in 2015.
The fleet generated more than 88 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity and achieved a capacity factor of 94.21 percent, its best mark in more than a decade and higher than the national average of 91.9 percent. It also extended the company's record of achieving a 90-plus percent capacity factor to 17 years.
Capacity factor is a measure of reliability. It is based on the percentage of how much electricity a generating unit produces compared to how much it could produce if operated non-stop.
The three-unit Oconee Nuclear Station achieved its highest capacity factor and an industry record of 98 percent. The station also had its shortest refueling outage.
The Brunswick, Harris, McGuire and Robinson nuclear stations each achieved record quarterly generation runs during 2015, producing more power in the same time frame than ever before. The Catawba unit 1 also had its longest continuous operating run.
"Our employees proved they are among the best in the business by taking personal ownership to ensure our equipment is well-maintained and operates reliably," said Bill Pitesa, Duke Energy chief nuclear officer. "Our nuclear stations play a significant role in ensuring our customers have the electricity they depend on every day."
Duke Energy's nuclear fleet contributed to the banner year of performance reported by the U.S. nuclear industry. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, the 99 nuclear reactors that operated in 2015 surpassed the previous average capacity factor record set in 2007.
For more information, visit www.duke-energy.com.