Tetra Tech, Inc.

10306 Eaton Place, Suite 340

Fairfax, VA 22030

phone 703-385-6000

fax 703-385-6007

DATE: August 2, 2010 

TO: Paul Shriner, EPA

FROM: Kelly Meadows, 

SUBJECT: Nuclear uprate schedule

As requested, we have examined existing information on uprates at nuclear facilities. As 

shown in the attached fact sheet from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), there 

are three types of uprate: measurem

The increases in generating capacity associated with these uprates are less than 2%, 2

and up to 20% respectively. 

could be used to offset some or all of the capacity lost to the energy penalty from 

retrofitting to closed-cycle cooling.

Table 1 below summarizes the projected uprates in the coming years, as provided by 

NRC data.1 Table 2 shows a summary of how many facilities have underta

of uprate in the past.

Table 1. Scheduled Nuclear Uprates

Fiscal 

Year

Total 

Power 

Uprates

Measurement 

Uncertainty 

Recapture 

Power 

Uprates

2010 4

2011 17

2012 10

2013 5

2014 4

TOTAL 40

Source: NRC fact sheet, February 2008.

 

1 Updated data may be periodically posted by the NRC at 

http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/power

MEMORANDUM

10306 Eaton Place, Suite 340

August 2, 2010 

Paul Shriner, EPA

Kelly Meadows, Tetra Tech

Nuclear uprate schedule

As requested, we have examined existing information on uprates at nuclear facilities. As 

shown in the attached fact sheet from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), there 

are three types of uprate: measurement uncertainty (MU), stretch (S) and extended

in generating capacity associated with these uprates are less than 2%, 2

 Given these increases in capacity, it is possible that uprates 

et some or all of the capacity lost to the energy penalty from 

cycle cooling.

Table 1 below summarizes the projected uprates in the coming years, as provided by 

Table 2 shows a summary of how many facilities have undertaken each type 

Table 1. Scheduled Nuclear Uprates

Measurement 

Uncertainty 

Recapture 

Power 

Uprates

Stretch 

Power 

Uprates

Extended 

Power 

Uprates

Megawatts 

Thermal

0 0 4 1518

13 0 4 1624

5 1 4 2008

3 0 2 830

1 0 3 1218

22 1 17 7198

Source: NRC fact sheet, February 2008.

 

Updated data may be periodically posted by the NRC at 

http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/power-uprates.html.

1

As requested, we have examined existing information on uprates at nuclear facilities. As 

shown in the attached fact sheet from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), there 

and extended (E). 

in generating capacity associated with these uprates are less than 2%, 2-7% 

Given these increases in capacity, it is possible that uprates 

et some or all of the capacity lost to the energy penalty from 

Table 1 below summarizes the projected uprates in the coming years, as provided by 

ken each type 

Approximate 

Megawatts 

Electric

506

541

669

277

406

2399
2

Table 2. Summary of Past Nuclear Uprates

Category Number of Facilities Percentage of 

Facilities

Average % Gain 

From Uprate

Total nuclear facilities 

in regulated universe 62

Undertaken an uprate 

of any type 57 91.94%

Undertaken an MU 

uprate 27 43.55% 1.49%

Undertaken an S 

uprate 37 59.68% 4.51%

Undertaken an E 

uprate 14 22.58% 13.40%

Source: NRC fact sheet, February 2008.