Published: April 30, 2024 |

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Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, has achieved commercial operation at Unit 4 of the 2.2GW Vogtle nuclear expansion project in Georgia.

Vogtle Unit 4 is expected to generate electricity sufficient to power approximately 500,000 households and businesses.

The new unit at the Vogtle nuclear expansion project will deliver reliable, emissions-free energy to customers for a minimum period of 60 to 80 years.

Located in Waynesboro, the Vogtle nuclear power plant is jointly owned by Georgia Power (45.7 percent), Oglethorpe Power (30 percent), Municipal Electrical Authority of Georgia (22.7 percent), and Dalton Utilities (1.6 percent).

The American nuclear power plant consists of four nuclear units, namely Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, and Unit 4, is operated by Southern Nuclear.

Georgia Power and its partners decided to move ahead with the construction of Unit 3 and 4 in September 2018 with an investment of $28 billion.

According to Georgia Power, the Vogtle plant, with all four units in operation, is the largest generator of clean energy in the US. It is anticipated to generate over 30 million megawatt hours of electricity every year.

Vogtle Unit 3 started operation in July 2023. Unit 3 was said to be the first newly constructed nuclear unit in the U.S. in more than three decades.

Both Unit 3 and Unit 4 are equipped with Westinghouse AP1000 reactors. Units 1 and 2, which have a combined capacity of around 2.4GW, use Westinghouse 4-loop pressurized water reactors.

“The new Vogtle units are a key piece of our strategy to meet the energy needs of our customers not only tomorrow, but 20 years from now,” said Georgia Power Chairman, President, and CEO Kim Greene.

“As we mark the completion of the Vogtle 3 & 4 expansion, we’re grateful for the leadership and foresight of the Georgia PSC, as well as the steadfast dedication from all of the project’s co-owners,” added Greene.

The construction of the new units at the Vogtle nuclear expansion project brought billions of dollars of positive economic impact for Georgia and local communities, said Georgia Power.

The new units have also generated 800 permanent jobs, with over 9,000 onsite jobs at the peak of construction.

“The completion of the expansion of the Vogtle nuclear generation plant to include Unit 3 and now Unit 4 is a hallmark achievement for Southern Company, the state of Georgia and the entire United States,” said Southern Company Chairman, President, and CEO Chris Womack.

Source: NS Energy

Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company, America’s premier energy company. Value, reliability, customer service, and stewardship are the cornerstones of the company’s promise to customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction.

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