Oconee
Oconee is a nuclear plant in Oconee County, South Carolina, operated by Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC. By nameplate capacity it is the 22nd-largest power plant in the United States and the largest in South Carolina. Among the 56 nuclear plants in the country it is the seventh-largest. Within the Duke Energy Carolinas balancing area it is the largest of 441 plants.
Nameplate capacity, 2025
2,667 MW
2,600 MW net summer capacity
3 operable units
- Nuclear2,667 MW100%
Unit by unit, 1973 to 2025
operating in 2025bar height follows unit size
Unit 1 Nuclear, 887 MW, 1973
Unit 2 Nuclear, 887 MW, 1974
Unit 3 Nuclear, 893 MW, 1974
Among South Carolina’s plants
Largest plants in the state by nameplate capacity, with the plants ranked next to this one.
Other rankings
- Nuclear plants in South Carolina
- 1st of 4
- Plants run by Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC
- 1st of 45
- Biggest single unit, among South Carolina’s plants
- 3rd of 215
Operable units
| Unit | Technology | Nameplate | Summer | Online | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nuclear | 887 MW | 862 MW | 1973 | Operating |
| 2 | Nuclear | 887 MW | 865 MW | 1974 | Operating |
| 3 | Nuclear | 893 MW | 873 MW | 1974 | Operating |
Grid and site
- Balancing area
- Duke Energy Carolinas
- Reliability region
- SERC Reliability Corporation
- Highest grid connection voltage
- 500 kV
- Water source
- Keowee River
- Nearest town on record
- Seneca
- Operator type
- Utility
- Coordinates
- 34.794°N, 82.899°W
Closest plants
| Plant | Runs on | Capacity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keowee | Hydroelectric | 158 MW | 0.7 mi northeast |
| Seneca City of | Oil and petroleum | 10 MW | 8.0 mi southwest |
| Central Energy Facility | Natural gas | 5.5 MW | 8.6 mi southeast |
| Duke Energy CHP at Clemson University | Natural gas | 13.4 MW | 9.1 mi southeast |
| Jocassee | Pumped-storage hydro | 774 MW | 11.5 mi north |
| Valenite | Oil and petroleum | 2.9 MW | 12.3 mi southwest |
| Bad Creek | Pumped-storage hydro | 1,680 MW | 15.8 mi north |
| Bluebird Solar SC LLC | Solar | 3 MW | 16.2 mi southeast |