Plant Vogtle Unit 4 reaches start-up milestone
Special Photo: Georgia Power
From staff reports
[email protected]
ATLANTA – Georgia Power has announced that Unit 4 at the Vogtle nuclear expansion project near Waynesboro has achieved another major milestone in start-up testing by generating electricity and successfully synchronizing and connecting to the electric grid for the first time. This milestone follows initial criticality, reached on Feb. 14, when operators safely started the nuclear reaction inside the reactor, generating nuclear heat to produce steam.
Connecting to the electric grid is part of ongoing start-up testing for Vogtle Unit 4. Now operators will continue to raise reactor power for generation of electricity while performing tests at various power levels, ultimately raising power to 100%. Once all start-up testing is successfully completed and the unit is available for reliable dispatch, Vogtle Unit 4 will enter commercial operation.
Vogtle Unit 3 entered commercial operation on July 31, 2023 and is providing safe, reliable, emission-free energy to Georgia today. The in-service date for Unit 4 is projected during the second 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. When operating, each of the new units can produce enough electricity to power an estimated 500,000 homes and businesses. Southern Nuclear is operating the new units on behalf of the co-owners: Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power and Dalton Utilities.
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company, America’s premier energy company. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, 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.
For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).
Author
Related Articles
Dougherty Commission considers $104 million budget for 2026-2027 budget year
“The other side of the coin is you could have higher revenues than projected. We’re very conservative in budgeting revenues. That also reduces the need to use fund balance”
PHOTOS: Albany State Summer Success Academy
Photos by Reginald Christian, Albany State University
Albany gas prices among Georgia’s lowest as summer fuel costs decline
According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the Albany metro area was approximately $3.45 this week, making Albany the second-least expensive metro market in Georgia behind Dalton at $3.41 and slightly ahead of Brunswick at $3.48.
