Sept 29 (Reuters) - NextEra Energy ( NEE/PU ) said on

Monday that the U.S. nuclear regulator has approved the license

renewal for two units of its Point Beach plant in Wisconsin for

another 20 years.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's approval extends

operations at Units 1 and 2 through 2050 and 2053, respectively.

Nuclear power supply is gaining traction in the U.S. after

years of stagnation, fueled by surging electricity demand from

energy-hungry data centers and the electrification of

transportation and manufacturing industries.

President Donald Trump on his first day back in office in

January issued an order declaring an energy emergency, and in

late May, signed executive orders directing the NRC to ease

regulations and expedite licensing processes for reactors and

power plants.

NextEra said that the two units, which began operations in

the early 1970s, supply about 14% of Wisconsin's total

electricity, enough to power nearly one million homes and

businesses.

It operates on a 1,200-acre site along Lake Michigan.

The Turkey Point nuclear power plant in Florida operated by

NextEra's sister company Florida Power & Light Company (FPL)

secured license renewal approval late last year, while FPL's St.

Lucie Nuclear Power Plant is undergoing the renewal process.