Duke Energy Nuclear Fleet Hits 96.9% Capacity Factor, Yields $600M Customer Savings
Duke Energy’s nuclear fleet achieved a 96.9% capacity factor in 2025, setting a new system-wide reliability record and delivering roughly $600 million in federal nuclear production tax credits directly to customers. The 11-unit fleet across six Carolinas sites provides consistent power to over 8 million homes while supporting grid stability.
1. New Reliability Record
In 2025 Duke Energy’s 11 nuclear units delivered power 96.9% of the time, marking the highest system-wide capacity factor in the company’s history. This reliability record underscores the fleet’s operational excellence and reinforces steady baseload generation for the Carolinas grid.
2. Customer Savings
Strong nuclear output generated approximately $600 million in federal production tax credits, which Duke Energy is passing directly to customers to lower bills. These savings enhance affordability and reflect the economic value of high utilization rates.
3. Nuclear Fleet Overview
The fleet comprises 11 reactors at six sites—Brunswick, Harris, McGuire, Catawba, Oconee and Robinson—making nuclear the company’s largest generation source in the Carolinas. Together these plants supply uninterrupted power to over 8 million homes and businesses across North and South Carolina.
4. Strategic Outlook
Duke Energy plans to extend reactor lifespans, pursue power uprates and invest in advanced reactor technology to boost output from existing assets. These initiatives aim to sustain reliability gains, support growing energy demand and strengthen long-term grid resilience.