Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: de2a6863-3e00-4ade-b40d-9f1371ed9734
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Power Levels of Nuclear Power Plants (Rev. 1)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1221/ML12216A005.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.49
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION REGULATORY DIRECTORATE OF REGULATORY STANDARDS REGULATORY GUIDE 1.49 POWER LEVELS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS Revision 1 December 1973 GUIDE A. INTRODUCTION Section 50.34 of 10 CFR Part 50 requires that each application for a construction permit include a summary description and discussion of the facility with special attention to, among other things, the design and operating characteristics at the projected initial power level (proposed licensed power level). Section 50.34 also requires that the application include an analysis and evaluation of the major structures, systems, and components of the facility which bear significantly on the acceptability of the site, under the site evaluation factors identified in 10 CFR Part 100, at the ultimate power level contemplated by the applicant. It is the policy of the Atomic Energy Commission to encourage, support, and give priority consideration to activities leading to greater standardization of nuclear power plants. In a statement issued on March 5, 1973, announcing its nuclear plant standardization policy, the Commission stated that the size of all new plants accepted for licensing review (both those proposed for review as standardized plants and those proposed for review in connection with a specific application for a construction permit) would be subject to a maximum * I power limit. 1 This guide describes acceptable maximum power levels for all nuclear power plants. The Regulatory staff study referred to in the Commission Policy Statement stated that only applications for light-water reactors would be accepted for review as standardized plants. The Regulatory staff has now determined that applications for standardized plants will not be limited to light-water-cooled reactors. * Lines indicate substantive changes from previous issue. B. DISCUSSION The design power levels of nuclear power plants have increased from about 600 megawatts electric in 1965 to slightly above 1300 megawatts electric