Duke Energy received a 20‑year operating‑license renewal for its Robinson Nuclear Plant on April 23 2026, extending the facility’s ability to generate low‑carbon electricity through 2050. The reactor, which began commercial operation in March 1971, is now 55 years old and will continue to supply power to the Pee Dee region for the next two decades.
The renewal preserves a substantial portion of Duke Energy’s regulated asset base, ensuring continued revenue from a proven, dispatchable source. It also reinforces the company’s “all‑of‑the‑above” generation strategy, which blends nuclear, natural gas, solar, and storage to meet growing demand—particularly from data‑center customers that require reliable, continuous power.
Duke Energy has invested roughly $1.7 billion in upgrades to the Robinson plant to support the license extension, and the renewal aligns with a $103 billion capital‑investment plan through 2030 that focuses on grid modernization and additional generation capacity. The decision follows a similar renewal for the Oconee Nuclear Station in 2025, marking the second of the company’s 11 operating nuclear units to receive a subsequent license extension.
The extended operation is expected to deliver significant economic benefits to the Pee Dee region, supporting local jobs and tax revenue while maintaining the plant’s role as a stable, long‑term energy source for the Southeast.
Steven Capps, Duke Energy’s chief nuclear officer, said the renewal helps deliver low‑cost, always‑on electricity and supports jobs and energy security in the region, underscoring the company’s commitment to clean‑energy goals and long‑term reliability.
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