BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On
Oct. 15 at 10:58 a.m. CDT, operators at the Joseph M. Farley
Nuclear Plant near Dothan,
Alabama, safely took Unit 2 offline for a planned refueling
and maintenance outage.
Each unit at Plant Farley requires new fuel every 18 months. The
most recent refueling outage for Unit 2 was completed in the spring
of 2016.
In addition to refueling the reactor and performing regular
maintenance and testing, workers will make upgrades to plant
systems and components to enhance efficiency and reliability.
"Our number one priority during this outage is safety, and the
key to our success is our outstanding employees and supporting
partners," said Site Vice President Dennis
Madison. "I am proud of the preparations we have made as one
team, and every team member is putting forth a total commitment to
accomplish this refueling outage at the highest levels of safety
and performance."
Employees from across the Southern Nuclear fleet are assisting
Farley's staff of more than 900 in the refueling effort. More than
800 additional alliance partners and vendors are on site performing
specialized tasks. This supplemental workforce provides economic
stimulus to surrounding communities during the planning stages and
throughout the outage.
Farley Unit 1 continues to safely operate at 100 percent power
while Unit 2 is offline and refueling.
About Southern Nuclear:
Southern
Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is a leader
among the nation's nuclear energy facility operators and an
innovator in advanced nuclear technologies. Southern Nuclear is an
essential part of Southern Company's energy portfolio, and its
importance will continue to grow as America transitions to a
low-carbon energy future. While the company produces clean, safe
and reliable nuclear energy, it's also an economic engine powered
by quality jobs and community service. Southern Nuclear operates a
total of six units for Alabama Power and Georgia Power at the
Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan, Ala.; the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant
near Baxley, Ga.; and the Alvin W.
Vogtle Electric Generating Plant near Waynesboro, Ga. Southern Nuclear is the
licensee of two new nuclear units currently under construction at
Plant Vogtle that are among the first nuclear units being
constructed in the United States
in more than 30 years. Southern Nuclear received numerous accolades
in 2016 for leadership in the advancement of nuclear energy
including the Special Achievement Award by the United States
Nuclear Infrastructure Council and the Presidential Citation by the
American Nuclear Society. Southern Nuclear also received two of the
Nuclear Energy Institute's Top Innovative Practice awards and
special recognition for achieving excellence in research and
performance. Southern Nuclear's Plant Hatch received the ANS
Operations & Power Division's Utility Achievement Award for
plant improvements that resulted in a record-setting refueling
outage duration. The company's headquarters is in Birmingham, Ala.
Twitter: @SouthernNuclear; Facebook:
facebook.com/southernnuclear; www.southernnuclear.com
About Southern Company:
Southern Company
(NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company, with 44,000 MW of
generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined
natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million
electric and gas utility customers through its subsidiaries. The
company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy
through electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution
utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving
wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized
provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics
and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for
excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices
that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading
commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are
inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio
of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century
coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating
new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern
Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and
G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military
employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by
DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40
Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for
Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National
Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic
Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear
development and is continually ranked among the top utilities in
Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility
rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/plant-farley-unit-2-planned-activities-underway-for-the-production-of-clean-safe-affordable-and-reliable-nuclear-energy-300537530.html
SOURCE Southern Nuclear Communications