In a 12-month timeline, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a subsequent license renewal for Duke Energy’s Robinson Nuclear Plant in Hartsville, S.C.
The 20-year renewal extends the Robinson plant to operate through July 2050. According to NRC’s April 23 press release, the 12-month review timeline makes this the fastest license renewal review in the agency’s history. NRC received Duke’s license renewal application in April 2025.
It is also the first review completed under the new federal timelines established by Executive Order 14300, which cut the review for license renewals down from 18 months to 12.
“This milestone proves we can deliver results quickly without compromising safety,” NRC Chair Ho Nieh said. “By focusing on essential factors for sustained nuclear power plant safety and applying lessons learned from past renewals, our team was able to work efficiently while maintaining their commitment to enabling timely safety decisions.”
Robinson’s subsequent license renewal comes a month after the agency published the final environmental report on March 20 and issued the safety evaluation report on April 1.
The Robinson plant began operating in 1971 and has one unit, a pressurized-water reactor, that generates 759 megawatts. With the license renewed, Duke said in its press release that Robinson will continue to power nearly 570,000 homes and support nearly 500 jobs in the Darlington County and Pee Dee region.
“South Carolina’s energy needs continue to rise, and extending Robinson Nuclear Plant’s operating license preserves a reliable, affordable source of nuclear energy our state depends on,” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) said in Duke’s release. “This plant ensures we have the power needed to support jobs and strengthen communities across the Pee Dee region.”
Robinson’s operating license was first renewed in 2004 for an additional 20 years until 2030.