U.S. nuclear energy facilities generated electricity at a record high level of reliability in 2015, according to preliminary estimates, again demonstrating nuclear energy's value to consumers, the stability of the electric grid and to the nation's economy.

Ninety-nine nuclear power plants operating in 30 states posted an estimated average capacity factor of 91.9 percent, based on preliminary 2015 data compiled by the Nuclear Energy Institute. That surpasses the industry's prior record set in 2007 by one-tenth of a percentage point. Capacity factor measures the total electricity generated as a percentage of potential generation for the entire year.

Actual electricity production from nuclear energy facilities last year was the fifth-highest ever, at an estimated 797.9 billion kilowatt-hours (kwh). The industry's record high electricity generation came in 2010, when the 104 reactors then operating produced 806.9 billion kwh of electricity while posting an industry average capacity factor of 90.9 percent.

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Nuclear energy facilities for the past two decades have annually produced about one-fifth of America's electricity supplies, even as total electricity demand has increased significantly. Because of their electric sector-leading capacity factors, they have done so even though nuclear power plants constitute only about 10 percent of the nation's installed electric generating capacity.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/19/globe-newswire-nuclear-energy-facilities-set-reliability-record-in-2015-estimate-shows.html