North Anna Power Station

North Anna generates 1,786 megawatts from its two units — enough electricity to power 450,000 homes. Unit 1 began commercial operation in June, 1978 and Unit 2 followed in December 1980.

North Anna is located in Louisa County in central Virginia, northwest of Richmond.

The facility was named after the North Anna River, which was dammed to form the 9,600-acre Lake Anna reservoir and the 3,400-acre Waste Heat Treatment Facility, used to provide cooling water for the station.

The Lake Anna reservoir and the Waste Heat Treatment Facility have become a popular outdoor recreational area, whose shoreline is dotted with homes, cabins. There are a number of marinas, campgrounds and a large state park on the Lake Anna reservoir.

Application Filed For Combined Operating License

Dominion announced on Nov. 28, 2007, that it has filed an application with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a license to build and operate a new nuclear reactor at its North Anna Power Station in central Virginia. If built, the new reactor would add to Dominion’s position as one of the nation’s top nuclear operators. The application filed with the NRC is for a Combined Operating License (COL) for North Anna Unit 3. The company has not committed to build the new unit, but wants to maintain the option to do so to meet projected skyrocketing demand for electricity in Virginia in the next decade.

Early Site Permit Issued

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission authorized its Office of New Reactors to issue an Early Site Permit (ESP) to Dominion Nuclear North Anna, LLC on Nov. 20, 2007, for the North Anna ESP site near Louisa, Va. The NRC has determined that the North Anna site is suitable for an additional reactor, allowing Dominion to maintain the nuclear option for future customers.

About the Environment

Continuing studies show that North Anna has very minimal effects on the environment. A radiological monitoring program has shown virtually no environmental impact from operation of the station.

Exhaustive studies of Lake Anna found plant and marine life there both abundant and healthy, and the lake has become one of Virginia's premier fishing lakes. The warm water discharge from the power station may actually be helping certain sensitive species of fish thrive during cold winter temperatures.

Waste Heat Treatment Facility (WHTF)

North Anna Power Station uses water from Lake Anna to condense steam back to water inside the station. The water is returned to the lake slightly warmer than when it was taken. The discharged water cools in a series of private cooling lagoons, known as the Waste Heat Treatment Facility (WHTF). >> Learn more, and view the discharged water temperature.

Emergency Preparedness

Read our information on emergency planning efforts.

Visit our Information Center

If you would like to learn more about nuclear energy, we invite you to visit the North Anna Nuclear Information Center. The center welcomes visitors including individuals having special needs. To assist us in accommodating any special requirements or needs, we ask that you contact us in advance of your visit. To arrange a visit or for other information, call (540) 894-2029 or 2028.

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