Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 14, Entergy has applied to the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) for approval to increase the power output of its Waterford 3 nuclear power plant in Killona by about 45 MWe. The company is also requesting to recover the USD 68.7 million cost of implementing the uprate.

Waterford 3, a pressurised water reactor that began commercial operation in 1985, currently produces about 1,150 MWe. It holds a US Nuclear Regulatory Commission licence valid until 2044, and Entergy is considering applying for a subsequent licence renewal to extend operations until 2064.

In its filing with the LPSC, Entergy Louisiana LLC (ELL) stated: “Projected to need additional long-term generating capacity over the course of the long-term planning horizon to replace deactivated capacity and address load growth in order to reliably serve customers.” The company added: “Nuclear generation is an important part of the resource portfolio that ELL has deployed to reliably serve its load and meet planning obligations. It provides clean, economic baseload capacity and contributes to fuel diversity in ELL's portfolio. More specifically, ELL's Waterford 3 in Killona and River Bend Nuclear Station in St Francisville are the largest sources of carbon-free power in Louisiana.”

Earlier this year, during a refuelling outage, three low-pressure turbine rotors nearing the end of their service life were replaced at Waterford 3. The uprate project will involve further modifications that, together with the new rotors’ improved efficiency, will increase the plant’s capacity to about 1,195 MWe. Most of the work is scheduled for the plant’s refuelling outage in late 2026, with remaining tasks planned for late 2029.

Entergy said the increase will be achieved without raising the reactor’s thermal output, meaning no increase in fuel costs. The company’s economic analysis estimates the upgrade will deliver a net present value benefit of USD 205 million for customers, supported by increased energy sales and federal tax credits. In the first full year of operation, projected for late 2026, Entergy expects USD 11.2 million in energy savings and USD 13.1 million in production tax credits.

The company is planning to use production tax credits under Section 45Y of the Internal Revenue Code, which remain available for nuclear uprate projects under recent federal legislation. While eligibility depends on Internal Revenue Service guidance, Entergy said the credits could fully offset project costs for customers.

Capacity uprates and licence extensions for existing nuclear facilities were also referenced in executive orders issued on 23 May, aiming to support the US nuclear energy sector and expand generation capacity by 2050.