ATLANTA, Nov. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power
announced today continued progress at the Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear
expansion near Waynesboro, Ga.,
with the placement of the first two sets of double-decker shield
building panels around the outer wall of the Unit 3 containment
vessel.
The shield building panels, fabricated in Newport News, Va., provide structural support
to the containment cooling water supply and protect the containment
vessel, which houses the reactor vessel and associated
equipment.
A total of four six-panel sections were placed, with each one
measuring 20 feet tall and 114 feet wide. Weighing from 180,000 to
300,000 pounds, the heaviest panels are placed on the west side of
containment where the shield building ties into the auxiliary
building walls and roof. The shield building is made of steel and
concrete in what is known as a steel composite design.
Each placement of shield building panels requires a team of
approximately 15 individuals ranging from a crane operator,
riggers, spotters, engineers and project managers who work together
to ensure each section is placed precisely.
"Placing the six-panel assembly was a new method for us – one
that allowed us to set two full courses in just four lifts, thus
drastically shortening the duration for setting shield building
courses," said Vogtle 3 & 4 Construction Senior Vice President
Glen Chick.
The shield building panels are a unique feature of the AP1000
reactor design at the Vogtle nuclear expansion, providing an
additional layer of safety around the containment vessel and
protecting it from any potential impacts. To date, more than half
of the shield building panels have been placed for Unit 3.
About Vogtle 3 & 4
With more than 7,000 construction workers on-site today, and more
than 800 permanent jobs available once the units begin operating,
Vogtle 3 & 4 is the largest jobs-producing construction project
in the state of Georgia.
Follow the progress being made at the project with new photos
added to the Plant Vogtle 3 & 4 Online Photo Gallery.
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 2.5
million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to
delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates
below the national average, 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 consistently recognized by
J.D. Power and Associates 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).
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SOURCE Georgia Power