First nuclear reaction safely initiated marks
latest step prior to generation of electricity
ATLANTA, Feb. 14,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power announced today
that Unit 4 at the Vogtle nuclear expansion project near
Waynesboro, Georgia, has safely
reached initial criticality. Initial criticality is a key step
during the startup testing sequence and demonstrates that -- for
the first time -- operators have safely started the nuclear
reaction inside the second reactor. This means atoms are being
split and nuclear heat is being made, which will be used to produce
steam.
A reactor achieves criticality when the nuclear fission reaction
becomes self-sustaining. Achieving initial criticality is necessary
to continue the startup of the unit in order to generate sufficient
heat for the production of electricity. Vogtle Unit 4 continues
with startup testing, which demonstrates the integrated operation
of the primary coolant system and steam supply system at design
temperature and pressure with fuel inside the reactor. These tests
are designed to ensure all systems are operating together and to
validate operating procedures prior to declaration of commercial
operation.
Now that the Unit 4 reactor has reached criticality, operators
will continue to raise power to support synchronizing the generator
to the electric grid and begin producing electricity. Then,
operators will continue increasing power through multiple steps,
ultimately raising power to 100 percent.
Vogtle Unit 3 entered commercial operation on July 31, 2023, (read more) 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 will operate the new
units on behalf of the co-owners: Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power,
MEAG Power and Dalton Utilities.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest
electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's
premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service
and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to
2.7 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159
counties. 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. Georgia Power
focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every
day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry
leader in customer satisfaction. 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).
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain information contained in this release is
forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans
that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information
includes, among other things, statements concerning the projected
in-service date for Plant Vogtle Unit 4. Georgia Power cautions
that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to
differ materially from the forward-looking information that has
been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on
this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of
future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and
other factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia
Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested
results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to
those discussed in Georgia Power's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and subsequent securities
filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from
management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking
information: the ability to control costs and avoid cost and
schedule overruns during the development, construction, and
operation of facilities or other projects, including Plant Vogtle
Unit 4, which includes components based on new technology that only
within the last several years began initial operation in the global
nuclear industry at this scale, due to current and/or future
challenges which include, but are not limited to, changes in labor
costs, availability and productivity, challenges with the
management of contractors or vendors, subcontractor performance,
adverse weather conditions, shortages, delays, increased costs, or
inconsistent quality of equipment, materials, and labor, contractor
or supplier delay, the impacts of inflation, delays due to judicial
or regulatory action, nonperformance under construction, operating,
or other agreements, operational readiness, including specialized
operator training and required site safety programs, engineering or
design problems or any remediation related thereto, design and
other licensing-based compliance matters, challenges with start-up
activities, including major equipment failure, or system
integration, and/or operational performance, challenges related to
pandemic health events, continued public and policymaker support
for projects, environmental and geological conditions, delays or
increased costs to interconnect facilities to transmission grids,
and increased financing costs as a result of changes in interest
rates or as a result of project delays; the ability to overcome or
mitigate the current challenges, or challenges yet to be
identified, at Plant Vogtle Unit 4, that could further impact the
cost and schedule for the project; under certain specified
circumstances, a decision by holders of more than 10% of the
ownership interests of Plant Vogtle Unit 4 not to proceed with
construction; the ability to construct facilities in accordance
with the requirements of permits and licenses (including
satisfaction of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements),
to satisfy any environmental performance standards and the
requirements of tax credits and other incentives, and to integrate
facilities into the Southern Company system upon completion of
construction; the inherent risks involved in operating and
constructing nuclear generating facilities; the ability of
counterparties of Georgia Power to make payments as and when due
and to perform as required; the direct or indirect effect on
Georgia Power's business resulting from cyber intrusion or physical
attack and the threat of cyber and physical attacks; catastrophic
events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, tornadoes,
hurricanes and other storms, droughts, pandemic health events,
political unrest, wars or other similar occurrences; and the direct
or indirect effects on Georgia Power's business resulting from
incidents affecting the U.S. electric grid or operation of
generating or storage resources. Georgia Power expressly disclaims
any obligation to update any forward-looking information.
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SOURCE Georgia Power