Catawba Nuclear Station
- Capacity: 2,258 megawatts
- Location: York County, S.C.
- Commercial Date: 1985
Catawba Nuclear Station is located on Lake Wylie in York County, S.C. The lake was created in 1904 and is the oldest lake on the Catawba River. The lake provides cooling water for both Catawba and Allen Steam Station.
Unlike its sister stations — McGuire in Mecklenburg County, N.C., and Oconee in Oconee County, S.C. — Catawba is jointly owned by North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number One, North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation, Piedmont Municipal Power Agency and Duke Energy.
Catawba is one of three nuclear stations designed, built and operated by Duke Energy. Unit 1 began commercial operation in 1985, followed by unit 2 in 1986. Today, the nuclear fleet provides electricity to approximately half of Duke Energy’s customers in the Carolinas, with production costs among the lowest in the nation.
Duke Energy nuclear power plants operate at a very high level of security every day. Catawba was designed and built with redundant safety systems and multiple barriers to protect the public, plant workers and the environment.
Fresh Off The Press: The Nuclear Information Center
Duke Energy has launched the Nuclear Information Center (NIC). The NIC’s accessibility and social media elements will help demystify the world of nuclear energy. It aims to educate readers to foster a greater understanding of nuclear technology and industry issues through the eyes of those who work within it. To check out the NIC, go to http://nuclear.duke-energy.com.
