Georgia Power announces milestone in Vogtle nuclear expansion project - WRDW
Georgia Power announces milestone in Vogtle nuclear expansion project
WAYNESBORO, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Georgia Power announced Friday, March 1, that Unit 4 at the Vogtle nuclear power expansion project has achieved a major milestone in startup testing.
Georgia Power says the unit generated electricity and successfully synchronized and connected to the electric grid for the first time.
Operators will continue to raise reactor power for generation of electricity while performing tests at various power levels, ultimately raising power to100 percent, according to Georgia Power.
Once all startup testing is completed, Vogtle Unit 4 will enter commercial operation.
Vogtle Unit 3 entered commercial operation on July 31, 2023, and Georgia Power says the in-service date for Unit 4 is projected during the second quarter of this year.
Georgia Power goes on to say the new Vogtle units are an essential part of its 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, according to Georgia Power.
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Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: nuclear
Nuclear energy provides almost 20 percent of the U.S. electricity supply. Advocates have called for an expanded role for nuclear as an emissions-free fuel source. But the economics of building new reactors are daunting. In addition, lingering safety concerns are an institutionalized part of the calculation of nuclear regulation, and highly radioactive nuclear waste remains a can that public officials have been inclined to kick down the road. The Energy Information Administration projects a sharp decline in nuclear power generation over the next decade, as new nuclear plants — two are planned — are more than offset by anticipated retirements of several operating reactors.