Georgia Power inaugurates Plant Vogtle unit 3: A step towards clean energy future

Georgia Power has announced the commencement of commercial operation of Plant Vogtle Unit 3, signaling a milestone in the State of Georgia’s clean energy journey. This new unit represents an enduring investment in the state’s emissions-free energy future, aimed at supplying dependable energy to customers for the coming decades.

Vogtle Unit 3 stands out as the first newly-constructed nuclear unit in the U.S. in over 30 years. It has the capacity to power around 500,000 homes and businesses. Once all four units are fully functional, the Plant Vogtle site is set to become the nation’s largest clean energy generator. This expansion will facilitate Georgia’s growth, attracting more industries, businesses, and families to the state.

Nuclear energy, known as a zero-emission baseload energy source, offers consistent and efficient operations. It presently accounts for about 25% of Georgia Power‘s total energy blend, including existing units at Plant Vogtle and another nuclear facility at Plant Hatch in Baxley, Georgia.

First New US nuclear unit in 30 years: Plant Vogtle Unit 3 begins commercial operation. Photo courtesy of Southern Company.

Vogtle Unit 4 is advancing through the final stages of construction and testing and is expected to be placed in service during late Q4 2023 or Q1 2024. Impressively, the unit finished hot functional testing in May, much quicker than Unit 3, by employing best practices from the previous unit. The Vogtle site has also obtained the required 157 fuel assemblies for the safe and reliable startup of Unit 4.

In additional news last week, Georgia Power announced the receipt of the 103(g) finding from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for Vogtle Unit 4. This finding, confirmed in an official letter, signifies that the new unit complies with the Combined License and NRC regulations.

The new Vogtle units are integral to Georgia Power’s pledge to deliver clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy to its 2.7 million customers. Southern Nuclear will oversee the operation of the new units for the co-owners, including Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power, and Dalton Utilities.

Kim Greene, chairman, president, and CEO of Georgia Power, expressed the significance of the development, stating, “The Plant Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear expansion is another incredible example of how Georgia Power is building a reliable and resilient energy future for our state. It is important that we make these kinds of long-term investments and see them through so we can continue providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy to our 2.7 million customers.”