This past October marked a historic milestone for nuclear energy in the United States as fuel load was completed at Vogtle Unit 3, one of two new nuclear units under construction at Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, Georgia. During fuel load, nuclear technicians and operators from Southern Nuclear and Westinghouse safely transferred 157 fuel assemblies from the Unit 3 spent fuel pool to the Unit 3 reactor core.

In early March 2023, Unit 3 reached initial criticality, a major step in the start-up testing sequence in which operators safely started a nuclear reaction inside the reactor. Achieving initial criticality is necessary to continue start-up of the unit and generate sufficient heat for the production of electricity. Now in the final phases of testing, Unit 3 is projected to be in service by May or June of 2023.

Unit 4 also saw substantial progress in 2022. Cold hydro testing was successfully completed in December and hot functional testing began this March. Fuel load is the next major milestone for Unit 4, which is projected to be in service by late 2023 or the first quarter of 2024.

The new Vogtle units are an essential part of Georgia Power’s commitment to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy to its 2.7 million customers. Once operating, the two new units will be sources of clean, carbon-free energy, and they are expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 500,000 homes and businesses, and to play a vital role in the Southern Company system’s transition to a net zero future.

“These new nuclear units represent a critical, long-term investment in our energy future,” said Chairman, President and CEO of Georgia Power, Chris Womack. Womack, who is also the president- and CEO-elect of Southern Company, added, “We are making history here in Georgia and in the United States as we approach bringing online the first new nuclear units to be built in this country in over 30 years.”

Importantly, as of year-end 2022, more than 70 million safe hours of work had been completed on the new Vogtle units, reflecting the company’s commitment to one of its core values, Safety First.

Once online, Southern Company subsidiary Southern Nuclear will operate the new units on behalf of Georgia Power and its co-owners, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power and Dalton Utilities.