Georgia Power declared that Plant Vogtle Unit 3 has entered commercial operation and is now serving customers and the State of Georgia.
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The new unit represents a long-term investment in the state's clean energy future and will provide reliable, emissions-free energy to customers for decades to come.
Vogtle Unit 3 is the first newly-constructed nuclear unit in the U.S. in over 30 years and can power an estimated 500,000 homes and businesses.
Once all four units are online, the Plant Vogtle site will be the largest generator of clean energy in the nation and support continued growth in Georgia as more industries, businesses and families come to the state.
Nuclear energy is the only zero-emission baseload energy source available today, offering high reliability, and efficient operations around the clock.
Nuclear energy currently provides approximately 25% of Georgia Power's overall energy mix, including the existing units at Plant Vogtle and Georgia's other nuclear facility at Plant Hatch in Baxley, Georgia.
The final stages of construction and testing continue at Vogtle Unit 4, with the unit projected to be placed in service during the late fourth quarter 2023 or the first quarter of 2024.
The unit completed hot functional testing in May, in significantly less time than Unit 3 as the team continues leveraging best practices and learnings from the earlier unit.
The Vogtle site has also received nuclear fuel for Unit 4, with a total of 157 fuel assemblies necessary for the safe and reliable startup of the unit.
Also, last week, 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 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. Southern Nuclear will operate the new units on behalf of the coowners: Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power and Dalton Utilities. ■