U.S. nuclear production rises as reactors in south boost output

U.S. nuclear-power production rose 0.5 percent as energy companies increased output by reactors in South Carolina and Georgia.

Generation grew by 415 megawatts to 80,577, or 79 percent of capacity, according to filings with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and data compiled by Bloomberg. Output was 5.4 percent below a year ago with 19 of 104 U.S. reactors offline.

Progress Energy Inc. boosted production by the 710-megawatt Robinson 2 reactor, 58 miles (93 kilometers) northeast of Columbia, South Carolina, to 48 percent of capacity from 6 percent. The unit started two days ago after being shut for refueling Jan. 18.

Southern Co. increased output from the 876-megawatt Edwin I. Hatch 1 reactor in Georgia to 53 percent of capacity from 35 percent. The unit resumed service March 21 after shutting for scheduled refueling and maintenance Feb. 13. The 883-megawatt Hatch 2 was at full power at the site 74 miles west of Savannah.

Reactor maintenance shutdowns, usually undertaken in the U.S. spring or fall when energy use is lowest, can increase consumption of natural gas and coal to generate electricity. The average refueling down time was 43 days in 2011, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute.