The highway was lengthy and the challenges troublesome, however Plant Vogtle is now the most important nuclear energy plant within the U.S., as Unit 4 was declared commercially operational on April 29. With 4 items now accessible, Plant Vogtle has the capability to generate a complete of about 4,664 MW of electrical energy.
“The completion of the growth of the Vogtle nuclear technology plant to incorporate Unit 3 and now Unit 4 is a trademark achievement for Southern Firm, the state of Georgia, and your complete United States,” mentioned Chris Womack, chairman, president, and CEO of Southern Firm. “Working with our companions throughout authorities, business, labor, and past, we now have added new nuclear technology to the various power sources that improve the reliability, resiliency, and affordability of our system as we work to attain our purpose to be web zero by 2050. These new Vogtle items not solely will help the financial system inside our communities now and sooner or later, they display our world nuclear management.”
The Vogtle web site is situated close to Waynesboro, Georgia (Determine 1). The plant is operated by Southern Nuclear on behalf of co-owners Georgia Energy (45.7%), Oglethorpe Energy (30%), Municipal Electrical Authority of Georgia (MEAG Energy, 22.7%), and Dalton Utilities (1.6%). Models 1 and a pair of entered industrial operation in June 1987 and Might 1989, respectively, whereas Unit 3 achieved industrial operation final July.
“The completion of the Vogtle growth venture signifies the end result of a exceptional journey full of dedication, perseverance, and a dedication to a cleaner power future for Georgians,” mentioned Oglethorpe Energy President and CEO Mike Smith. “We rejoice not solely the completion of this vital emission-free useful resource but additionally the historic achievement it represents as the primary superior industrial nuclear venture within the nation in additional than three many years.”
“It’s an thrilling time to be a Georgian as our state continues to develop and thrive, with new demand for extra clear power every year. The brand new Vogtle items are a key piece of our technique to satisfy the power wants of our prospects not solely tomorrow, however 20 years from now,” mentioned Kim Greene, chairman, president, and CEO of Georgia Energy. “As we mark the completion of the Vogtle 3 and 4 growth, we’re grateful for the management and foresight of the Georgia PSC [Public Service Commission], in addition to the steadfast dedication from all the venture’s co-owners. I’m additionally so pleased with the groups who’ve labored tirelessly to ship the primary newly constructed nuclear items within the U.S. in additional than 30 years—representing a long-term funding that may profit our prospects and the state of Georgia for many years to return.”
Georgia Energy mentioned nuclear power supplied greater than 25% of its technology in 2023, which comes not solely from Plant Vogtle, but additionally from Plant Hatch in Baxley, Georgia. The corporate mentioned Plant Vogtle has supplied “billions of {dollars} of optimistic financial influence for Georgia and native communities.” Along with 800 everlasting jobs created by the brand new items, the positioning employed greater than 9,000 onsite jobs on the peak of building together with engineers, welders, electricians, pipefitters, plumbers, and plenty of extra.
Oglethorpe Energy mentioned the Vogtle growth venture underscores its dedication to a extra sustainable power future that meets the evolving wants of its member cooperatives and the shoppers they serve. “Oglethorpe Energy and our members are dedicated to navigating the transition to cleaner power whereas guaranteeing electrical energy stays dependable and inexpensive for electrical cooperative shoppers. The emission-free power generated by Unit 4 will play a vital position in serving to us ship on that mission for generations to return,” Smith mentioned.
The venture was not with out its struggles, nonetheless. Models 3 and 4 make the most of Westinghouse’s AP1000 design. Development started in June 2009 and there have been a number of modifications within the building staff over time, which included CB&I Stone & Webster Inc. early on, and Fluor Corp. for a interval that started in 2015. In 2017, Bechtel was introduced in by Georgia Energy and Southern Nuclear to take over building of the venture. Bechtel has in depth expertise within the nuclear business, having designed, constructed, or carried out engineering and/or building providers on greater than 80% of nuclear vegetation within the U.S., and having supported the design and building of 150 nuclear vegetation worldwide.
When Vogtle Unit 3 achieved industrial operation final 12 months, Bechtel Chairman and CEO Brendan Bechtel mentioned, “We’re extraordinarily pleased with Bechtel’s half in attaining this milestone. Our staff has been one hundred pc dedicated to Vogtle’s completion since being introduced in to complete the venture.”
“The Plant Vogtle growth was a extremely advanced enterprise,” mentioned MEAG Energy President and CEO Jim Fuller. “All through your complete course of our precedence has been serving one of the best pursuits of our participant communities. Vogtle Models 3 and 4 might be a key element in satisfying the rising power wants of their residents and companies for many years to return.”
—Aaron Larson is POWER’s govt editor (@POWERmagazine).
