Clean energy for a bright future
Plant Vogtle Nuclear Units 3 and 4
We have a vision of a clean energy future and every day, we put it in motion.
Georgia Power’s Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 will be the first newly constructed nuclear units built in the United States in more than three decades. With the completion of Unit 3, we are providing customers and communities with carbon-free nuclear energy.
Advancing our Net Zero Goal
Operating 24/7/365, nuclear energy facilities produce more than half of all U.S. carbon-free electricity. Plant Vogtle will play an essential role in supporting Southern Company’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. When Unit 4 is complete, Plant Vogtle will be the largest carbon-free generation asset in the country.
Vogtle Unit 3 Fuel Load
Promoting Economic Growth
A diverse energy portfolio, including carbon-free nuclear, is essential to maintaining a reliable and affordable energy infrastructure that:
- Attracts new investment
- Supports economic growth
- Creates jobs
Highlighting our Progress
Georgia Power announced the receipt of the 103(g) finding from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for Vogtle Unit 4. This finding was confirmed in an official letter received by Southern Nuclear and signifies that the new unit has been constructed and will be operated in conformance with the Combined License and NRC regulations.
No further NRC findings are necessary in order for Southern Nuclear to load fuel or begin the startup sequence for the new unit.
The issuance of the 103(g) finding follows years of diligent and careful work by the team at the site to submit documentation that Unit 4 has satisfied 364 required inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria (ITAACs) as outlined in Southern Nuclear’s Combined License – helping ensure the unit meets strict nuclear safety and quality standards. This process was completed on July 20, and the NRC conducted a thorough review process of each submission and targeted inspections of the facility before issuing the 103(g) finding. As required by the NRC, each ITAAC had to be verified before fuel load and operations.
The team at the site continues working diligently to make final preparations for Unit 4 fuel load, initiate startup testing and bring the unit online. Well-trained and highly qualified nuclear technicians will continue work required to support loading fuel, which is already onsite, into the unit’s reactor. This will be followed by several months of startup testing and operations. Startup testing is designed to demonstrate the integrated operation of the primary coolant system and steam supply system at design temperature and pressure with fuel inside the reactor. Operators will also bring the plant from cold shutdown to initial criticality, synchronize the Unit to the grid and systematically raise power to 100%.
Owners
The Vogtle Electric Generating Plant is jointly owned by Georgia Power (45.7%), Oglethorpe Power Corporation (30%), Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (22.7%) and Dalton Utilities (1.6%).
