ATLANTA, Dec. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The main
control room for Georgia Power's Vogtle Unit 3 is now in operation
and testing plant systems, marking another significant milestone at
the Vogtle nuclear expansion near Waynesboro, Georgia. Staffing the main control
rooms 24/7 year-round for both units 3 & 4 requires
approximately 70 highly-trained nuclear operators.
From the main control room, operators will monitor and control
the technology and equipment essential for testing the unit's
systems and safely starting the plant.
"Bringing the Unit 3 main control room online is another major
step in the project's transition from construction to system
operations," said Vogtle 3 & 4 Construction Executive Vice
President Glen Chick. "The main
control room allows us to conduct systems testing of the unit in
preparation for initial start-up."
To begin testing, the main control room has been staffed with
highly-trained nuclear operators that have completed multi-year
training which culminated with successful completion of the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) license exam.
During testing, operators will use the main control room to
monitor the plant to ensure that systems are operating as designed
for the technologically-advanced AP1000 units.
Vogtle 3 & 4 is currently the largest jobs-producing
construction project in the state of Georgia, with more than 8,000 workers
currently on site, and more than 800 permanent jobs available once
the units begin operating.
Follow the progress being made at the site with the Plant Vogtle
3 and 4 Online Photo Gallery and Georgia Power YouTube
channel.
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 2.6
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).
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 expected schedule for
construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 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, 2018 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, including Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4,
which includes components based on new technology that only
recently began initial operation in the global nuclear industry at
this scale, and including changes in labor costs, availability and
productivity; challenges with management of contractors,
subcontractors or vendors; adverse weather conditions; shortages,
delays, increased costs or inconsistent quality of equipment,
materials, and labor; contractor or supplier delay; nonperformance
under construction, operating, or other agreements; operational
readiness, including specialized operator training and required
site safety programs; engineering or design problems; design and
other licensing-based compliance matters, including the timely
submittal by Southern Nuclear of the Inspections, Tests, Analyses,
and Acceptance Criteria documentation for each unit and the related
reviews and approvals by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
("NRC") necessary to support NRC authorization to load fuel;
challenges with start-up activities, including major equipment
failure, system integration or regional transmission upgrades;
and/or operational performance; the ability to construct facilities
in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses
(including satisfaction of NRC 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; legal
proceedings and regulatory approvals and actions related to
construction projects, such as Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 and
pipeline projects, including public service commission approvals
and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and NRC actions; under
certain specified circumstances, a decision by holders of more than
10% of the ownership interests of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 not to
proceed with construction, and the ability of other Vogtle owners
to tender a portion of their ownership interests to Georgia Power
following certain construction cost increases; the inherent risks
involved in operating and constructing nuclear generating
facilities; the ability of counterparties of Georgia Power and its
subsidiaries to make payments as and when due and to perform as
required. Georgia Power expressly disclaims any obligation to
update any forward‐looking information.
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SOURCE Georgia Power