Application for first nuclear power plant in almost 30 years

NRG Energy Inc., Princeton, N.J., and South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company announced in September filing of a combined construction and operating license application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build and operate two new nuclear units at the South Texas Project (STP) nuclear power station site. The total rated capacity of the new units, STP 3 and 4, will equal or exceed 2,700 MW. NRG expects to bring the units on line in 2014 and 2015.

This is the first filing for a nuclear plant in almost 30 years, according to NRG officials.

STP 3 and 4 are being developed as part of the company’s Repowering NRG initiative to build approximately 10,000 MW of generation facilities that leverage NRG’s existing facilities’ infrastructure and support a diverse fuel mix.

The South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company, which currently operates units 1 and 2, will operate the new units as well. The STP site in Matagorda County, Texas, is considered to be one of the best sites in America for nuclear expansion. The 12,220-acre site and 7,000-acre cooling reservoir were originally designed for four units. The two new units will be built adjacent to the currently operating STP units 1 and 2.

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