Last year saw the completion of several major milestones as the construction of new nuclear units 3 and 4 at Georgia Power’s Plant Vogtle continued.

Milestones achieved at Vogtle Unit 3, the first unit scheduled to come online, included the successful completion of cold hydro testing in October. These tests confirmed that the reactor’s coolant system functions as designed, and verified that the welds, joints, pipes and other components of the coolant system and associated high-pressure systems do not leak when under pressure.

More than 60 individuals completed years of rigorous training and became certified to oversee plant operations once the units are in service. The Vogtle 3 and 4 project team successfully completed the pre-startup review conducted by the World Association of Nuclear Operators, which assessed the project’s readiness to operate the new AP1000 reactors. In December, Georgia Power received the first nuclear fuel shipment for Unit 3– the first such delivery for the state-of-the-art AP1000 reactor in the United States.

Hot functional testing is the next major milestone for Unit 3. Successful completion is a prerequisite for initial fuel load.

Several precautionary safety measures were instituted at the work site during 2020, with a view to preserve the health of the workforce. These protocols enabled work to continue, even under pandemic conditions. With more than 7,000 workers on site, and more than 800 permanent jobs available once the units are operational, Vogtle units 3 and 4 represent the largest job-producing construction project in the state of Georgia.

Once operating, the two new units are expected to generate carbon-free energy for more than 500,000 Georgia homes and businesses for decades to come. An important part of a diverse fuel mix, nuclear energy is also essential to maintaining a reliable and affordable energy infrastructure that helps attract new investment, supports economic growth and creates jobs.